City Comparison · 2026
Los Angeles vs New York City
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Los Angeles = $121k in New York City
Metric
Los Angeles
New York City
COL Index
✓1.76
2.13
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$2,450/mo
$3,500/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$3,200/mo
$4,500/mo
State Income Tax
CA
NY
$100k Take-Home
$73,198
✓$73,522
$100k Effective Rate
26.8%
✓26.48%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$43,798
$31,522
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Los Angeles CA | New York City NY |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. | $47,420 $3,952/mo · 20.97% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. | $73,522 $6,127/mo · 26.48% eff. |
| $150,000 | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. | $104,939 $8,745/mo · 30.04% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or New York City cheaper to live in?
Los Angeles has a cost-of-living index of 1.76 while New York City is 2.13 (1.00 = US average). Los Angeles is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Los Angeles is $2,450/month vs $3,500/month in New York City.
How much more do you need to earn in New York City vs Los Angeles?
$100k in Los Angeles = $121k in New York City. Cost of living in New York City is higher by 21%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Los Angeles or New York City?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,198 in CA (Los Angeles) and $73,522 in NY (New York City). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $43,798 in Los Angeles vs $31,522 in New York City.
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