City Comparison · 2026
Elizabeth vs Los Angeles
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Elizabeth = $138k in Los Angeles
Metric
Elizabeth
Los Angeles
COL Index
✓1.28
1.76
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,800/mo
$2,450/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$2,300/mo
$3,200/mo
State Income Tax
NJ
CA
$100k Take-Home
✓$74,492
$73,198
$100k Effective Rate
✓25.51%
26.8%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$52,892
$43,798
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Elizabeth NJ | Los Angeles CA |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $48,425 $4,035/mo · 19.29% eff. | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. |
| $100,000 | $74,492 $6,208/mo · 25.51% eff. | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. |
| $150,000 | $105,849 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elizabeth or Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Elizabeth has a cost-of-living index of 1.28 while Los Angeles is 1.76 (1.00 = US average). Elizabeth is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Elizabeth is $1,800/month vs $2,450/month in Los Angeles.
How much more do you need to earn in Los Angeles vs Elizabeth?
$100k in Elizabeth = $138k in Los Angeles. Cost of living in Los Angeles is higher by 37.5%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Elizabeth or Los Angeles?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $74,492 in NJ (Elizabeth) and $73,198 in CA (Los Angeles). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $52,892 in Elizabeth vs $43,798 in Los Angeles.
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