What is the cost-of-living index for Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a composite cost-of-living index of approximately 173 against a US national average of 100. That means living in LA costs roughly 73% more than the typical American city. The single biggest driver is housing, where LA's index sits well above 200.

How is the cost-of-living index calculated?

A cost-of-living index sets the US national average at 100 and expresses a city's costs as a percentage of that baseline. It is a weighted composite of categories — housing, groceries, transportation, utilities, and healthcare — with housing carrying the largest weight. An index of 173 means costs are 1.73x the national average.

How much salary in LA equals $60,000 elsewhere?

To maintain a $60,000 standard of living from an average-cost US city in Los Angeles, you would need roughly $60,000 x (173 / 100) = about $103,800. This tool computes that equivalence and shows the gap, though individual lifestyles shift the exact figure.

Why is Los Angeles so expensive?

Housing dominates. LA's housing index exceeds 200, meaning homes and rent cost more than double the national average due to limited supply, high demand, and geographic constraints. Transportation and utilities also run above average, while groceries and healthcare are closer to baseline.

Los Angeles Cost-of-Living Index — LA vs US Average

Los Angeles carries a composite cost-of-living index of about 173, meaning everyday costs run roughly 73% above the US national average (set at 100). This tool converts a salary or budget from an average-cost US city into its Los Angeles equivalent and breaks down which categories drive the gap.

How it works

A cost-of-living index expresses a city’s costs as a percentage of the US average, which is fixed at 100. Los Angeles sits at 173, so the conversion is a simple ratio:

LA equivalent = National amount x (173 / 100)

For example, a $60,000 lifestyle in an average city would cost about $103,800 in LA. The composite 173 is a weighted blend of category indices, with housing weighted most heavily.

Category indices

LA does not cost 73% more across the board — the difference is concentrated in housing:

Category	LA index	Vs US average
Housing	230	+130%
Transportation	138	+38%
Utilities	115	+15%
Groceries	111	+11%
Healthcare	105	+5%

Housing alone explains most of LA’s high composite. If you already own a home outright or have a rent-controlled lease, your personal index can be far lower than 173.

Notes

These indices are representative composite figures for the Los Angeles metro and shift with market conditions. Use them as a planning baseline, not an exact paycheck. Your actual cost depends heavily on neighborhood, household size, and whether housing is your largest expense.