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Seattle vs Los Angeles

Cost of living comparison for Seattle, Washington and Los Angeles, California.

Bottom line

Seattle is approximately 11% more expensive than Los Angeles. A single person needs about $4,588/mo in Seattle versus $4,135/mo in Los Angeles.

Rent in Seattle vs Los Angeles

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Seattle · Studio
$2,238
Los Angeles · Studio
$1,856
Seattle is $382 (21%) higher than Los Angeles
Seattle · 1 bedroom
$2,293
Los Angeles · 1 bedroom
$2,081
Seattle is $212 (10%) higher than Los Angeles
Seattle · 2 bedroom
$2,671
Los Angeles · 2 bedroom
$2,625
Seattle is $46 (2%) higher than Los Angeles
Seattle · 3 bedroom
$3,521
Los Angeles · 3 bedroom
$3,335
Seattle is $186 (6%) higher than Los Angeles

Income & earnings in Seattle vs Los Angeles

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Seattle · Household income
$122,148
Los Angeles · Household income
$87,760
Seattle is $34,388 (39%) higher than Los Angeles
Seattle · Individual earnings
$67,141
Los Angeles · Individual earnings
$43,477
Seattle is $23,664 (54%) higher than Los Angeles
Seattle · Per capita
$71,062
Los Angeles · Per capita
$44,319
Seattle is $26,743 (60%) higher than Los Angeles

Home values in Seattle vs Los Angeles

Average values and property tax.

Seattle · Average home value
$811,200
Los Angeles · Average home value
$783,300
Seattle is $27,900 (4%) higher than Los Angeles
Seattle · Annual property tax
$6,785
Los Angeles · Annual property tax
$5,438
Seattle is $1,347 (25%) higher than Los Angeles

Energy in Seattle vs Los Angeles

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Seattle · Monthly electricity
$109
Los Angeles · Monthly electricity
$167
Los Angeles is $58 (53%) higher than Seattle
Seattle · Monthly gas
$48
Los Angeles · Monthly gas
$50
Los Angeles is $2 (4%) higher than Seattle
Seattle · Annual total
$1,884
Los Angeles · Annual total
$2,604
Los Angeles is $720 (38%) higher than Seattle

Healthcare in Seattle vs Los Angeles

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Seattle · Individual premium
$480
Los Angeles · Individual premium
$480
Seattle and Los Angeles are about the same
Seattle · Family premium
$1,350
Los Angeles · Family premium
$1,350
Seattle and Los Angeles are about the same
Seattle · Uninsured rate
5.2%
Los Angeles · Uninsured rate
8.7%
Los Angeles is 3.5% (67%) higher than Seattle

Taxes in Seattle vs Los Angeles

State income and sales tax.

Seattle · State income tax
0.0%
Los Angeles · State income tax
13.3%
Los Angeles is 13.3% higher than Seattle
Seattle · State sales tax
6.5%
Los Angeles · State sales tax
7.3%
Los Angeles is 0.8% (12%) higher than Seattle
Seattle · Combined sales tax
10.2%
Los Angeles · Combined sales tax
8.8%
Seattle is 1.4% (16%) higher than Los Angeles

Transportation in Seattle vs Los Angeles

Commute time and travel modes.

Seattle · Average commute
28.1 min
Los Angeles · Average commute
30.8 min
Los Angeles is 2.7 min (10%) higher than Seattle
Seattle · Drive alone
51.8%
Los Angeles · Drive alone
66.4%
Los Angeles is 14.6% (28%) higher than Seattle
Seattle · Public transit
8.0%
Los Angeles · Public transit
4.2%
Seattle is 3.8% (90%) higher than Los Angeles

Monthly cost estimates in Seattle vs Los Angeles

All categories combined.

Seattle · Single person
$4,588
Los Angeles · Single person
$4,135
Seattle is $453 (11%) higher than Los Angeles
Seattle · Couple
$6,424
Los Angeles · Couple
$6,334
Seattle is $90 (1%) higher than Los Angeles
Seattle · Family
$9,440
Los Angeles · Family
$9,251
Seattle is $189 (2%) higher than Los Angeles

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Seattle and Los Angeles.

Is Seattle or Los Angeles more expensive?

Seattle is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,588/mo in Seattle, Washington and $4,135/mo in Los Angeles, California, a difference of about 11%.

What is the rent difference between Seattle and Los Angeles?

Average one-bedroom rent in Seattle, Washington is $2,293/mo versus $2,081/mo in Los Angeles, California. Seattle is approximately $212 (10%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Seattle or Los Angeles?

Seattle has the higher average household income. Seattle households earn approximately $122,148 per year; Los Angeles households earn approximately $87,760 per year.

More on Seattle and Los Angeles

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Seattle profile Los Angeles profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.