Living in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, one of the most diverse cities in the country, has a very unique character because of its large population. There are about 12.9 million people in the Los Angeles area who speak approximately 224 different languages, making Los Angeles a very diverse city. Not only is Los Angeles known for its diversity, but it is also world renowned as a center for popular entertainment. Los Angeles leads the world in the production of motion pictures, television, Internet content, video games and recorded music. Other drivers of the Los Angeles economy include international trade, tourism, fashion and technology. The city of Los Angeles has something for every person; from sporting events and theaters to museums and colleges, Los Angeles has an appeal for tourists, students, working professionals and families. Do these popular attractions drastically impact the city's cost of living? Research the Cost of Living in Los Angeles to find out!

Cost of Living in Los Angeles

In California, cost of living is fairly high for most areas, and Los Angeles is no exception. Overall, the Cost of Living in Los Angeles is 50 percent above the national average. The cost of housing has the greatest impact on the overall cost of living. Housing in Los Angeles is 157 percent higher than the national average, a significant difference compared to most other United States cities. One bonus is that the cost of utilities is actually eight percent lower than the national average. This may not be enough to really offset the high cost of housing, but every little bit helps. When it comes to transportation, Los Angeles is no stranger to gridlock. However, Average Commute Times in Los Angeles are surprisingly reasonable. The average commute time is about 35 minutes long, which is still significant, considering current gas prices. In cities surrounding Los Angeles, the average commute time is about ten minutes shorter.

California Cost of Living Comparison

The cost of living in Los Angeles may be high in comparison to the national average cost of living, but how does it compare to the cost of living in your city? Use PayScale’s Cost of Living Calculator to compare the cost of living in your city to the cost of living in Los Angeles and other southern California cities.

California Cost of Living: Long Beach
California Cost of Living: Orange County
California Cost of Living: San Diego

Salaries in Los Angeles

If you are considering relocating to Los Angeles, you might want to research salary data for the area. Salaries and cost of living go hand in hand; a city with a higher cost of living may offer higher salaries, but what can you expect to earn for your specific job title? PayScale's chart on Median Salaries in Los Angeles provides a general overview of salaries for jobs in different industries. Senior software engineers in Los Angeles have a median salary of $93,740, a very competitive salary compared to industry standards. Lawyers and construction project managers also earn high median salaries. For lawyers, the median salary in Los Angeles is $88,024. Construction project managers reap the benefits of the ever expanding Los Angeles community, and earn a median salary of $83,064.