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Los Angeles vs Philadelphia

Cost of living comparison for Los Angeles, California and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Bottom line

Los Angeles is approximately 22% more expensive than Philadelphia. A single person needs about $4,135/mo in Los Angeles versus $3,382/mo in Philadelphia.

Rent in Los Angeles vs Philadelphia

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Los Angeles · Studio
$1,856
Philadelphia · Studio
$1,372
Los Angeles is $484 (35%) higher than Philadelphia
Los Angeles · 1 bedroom
$2,081
Philadelphia · 1 bedroom
$1,512
Los Angeles is $569 (38%) higher than Philadelphia
Los Angeles · 2 bedroom
$2,625
Philadelphia · 2 bedroom
$1,802
Los Angeles is $823 (46%) higher than Philadelphia
Los Angeles · 3 bedroom
$3,335
Philadelphia · 3 bedroom
$2,171
Los Angeles is $1,164 (54%) higher than Philadelphia

Income & earnings in Los Angeles vs Philadelphia

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Los Angeles · Household income
$87,760
Philadelphia · Household income
$60,698
Los Angeles is $27,062 (45%) higher than Philadelphia
Los Angeles · Individual earnings
$43,477
Philadelphia · Individual earnings
$42,478
Los Angeles is $999 (2%) higher than Philadelphia
Los Angeles · Per capita
$44,319
Philadelphia · Per capita
$37,669
Los Angeles is $6,650 (18%) higher than Philadelphia

Home values in Los Angeles vs Philadelphia

Average values and property tax.

Los Angeles · Average home value
$783,300
Philadelphia · Average home value
$232,400
Los Angeles is $550,900 (237%) higher than Philadelphia
Los Angeles · Annual property tax
$5,438
Philadelphia · Annual property tax
$1,952
Los Angeles is $3,486 (179%) higher than Philadelphia

Energy in Los Angeles vs Philadelphia

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Los Angeles · Monthly electricity
$167
Philadelphia · Monthly electricity
$143
Los Angeles is $24 (17%) higher than Philadelphia
Los Angeles · Monthly gas
$50
Philadelphia · Monthly gas
$62
Philadelphia is $12 (24%) higher than Los Angeles
Los Angeles · Annual total
$2,604
Philadelphia · Annual total
$2,460
Los Angeles is $144 (6%) higher than Philadelphia

Healthcare in Los Angeles vs Philadelphia

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Los Angeles · Individual premium
$480
Philadelphia · Individual premium
$480
Los Angeles and Philadelphia are about the same
Los Angeles · Family premium
$1,350
Philadelphia · Family premium
$1,350
Los Angeles and Philadelphia are about the same
Los Angeles · Uninsured rate
8.7%
Philadelphia · Uninsured rate
7.2%
Los Angeles is 1.5% (21%) higher than Philadelphia

Taxes in Los Angeles vs Philadelphia

State income and sales tax.

Los Angeles · State income tax
13.3%
Philadelphia · State income tax
3.1%
Los Angeles is 10.2% (333%) higher than Philadelphia
Los Angeles · State sales tax
7.3%
Philadelphia · State sales tax
6.0%
Los Angeles is 1.3% (21%) higher than Philadelphia
Los Angeles · Combined sales tax
8.8%
Philadelphia · Combined sales tax
6.3%
Los Angeles is 2.5% (40%) higher than Philadelphia

Transportation in Los Angeles vs Philadelphia

Commute time and travel modes.

Los Angeles · Average commute
30.8 min
Philadelphia · Average commute
32.0 min
Philadelphia is 1.2 min (4%) higher than Los Angeles
Los Angeles · Drive alone
66.4%
Philadelphia · Drive alone
46.7%
Los Angeles is 19.7% (42%) higher than Philadelphia
Los Angeles · Public transit
4.2%
Philadelphia · Public transit
17.9%
Philadelphia is 13.7% (326%) higher than Los Angeles

Monthly cost estimates in Los Angeles vs Philadelphia

All categories combined.

Los Angeles · Single person
$4,135
Philadelphia · Single person
$3,382
Los Angeles is $753 (22%) higher than Philadelphia
Los Angeles · Couple
$6,334
Philadelphia · Couple
$4,560
Los Angeles is $1,774 (39%) higher than Philadelphia
Los Angeles · Family
$9,251
Philadelphia · Family
$7,059
Los Angeles is $2,192 (31%) higher than Philadelphia

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Los Angeles and Philadelphia.

Is Los Angeles or Philadelphia more expensive?

Los Angeles is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,135/mo in Los Angeles, California and $3,382/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a difference of about 22%.

What is the rent difference between Los Angeles and Philadelphia?

Average one-bedroom rent in Los Angeles, California is $2,081/mo versus $1,512/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Los Angeles is approximately $569 (38%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Los Angeles or Philadelphia?

Los Angeles has the higher average household income. Los Angeles households earn approximately $87,760 per year; Philadelphia households earn approximately $60,698 per year.

More on Los Angeles and Philadelphia

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

Los Angeles profile Philadelphia 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.