Relocation Guide · 2026
Moving from Boston to Los Angeles
Salary adjustment, rent comparison, taxes, and cost-of-living breakdown
Salary Equivalency
$100k in Boston = $91k in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is 8.8% cheaper than Boston overall
1.93
COL Index (From)
Boston
1.76
COL Index (To)
Los Angeles
$2,900/mo
1BR Rent (From)
Boston
$2,450/mo
1BR Rent (To)
Los Angeles
Salary Adjustment Calculator
How much you need to earn in Los Angeles to match your current Boston salary
| Boston Salary | Take-Home (MA) | Equiv. in Los Angeles | Take-Home (CA) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,248/yr 21.25% eff. rate | $54,715 | $44,388/yr 18.87% eff. rate | -$5,285 |
| $80,000 | $60,666/yr 24.17% eff. rate | $72,953 | $56,685/yr 22.3% eff. rate | -$7,047 |
| $100,000 | $73,736/yr 26.26% eff. rate | $91,192 | $67,821/yr 25.63% eff. rate | -$8,808 |
| $120,000 | $86,773/yr 27.69% eff. rate | $109,430 | $78,954/yr 27.85% eff. rate | -$10,570 |
| $150,000 | $105,778/yr 29.48% eff. rate | $136,788 | $95,288/yr 30.34% eff. rate | -$13,212 |
| $200,000 | $138,935/yr 30.53% eff. rate | $182,383 | $122,601/yr 32.78% eff. rate | -$17,617 |
Positive difference = you need a higher salary in Los Angeles to maintain purchasing power. Negative = Los Angeles is cheaper and your purchasing power improves at the same salary.
Rent Comparison
Studio
Boston
$2,260/mo
Los Angeles
$1,910/mo
-15.5% in Los Angeles
1-Bedroom
Boston
$2,900/mo
Los Angeles
$2,450/mo
-15.5% in Los Angeles
2-Bedroom
Boston
$3,700/mo
Los Angeles
$3,200/mo
-13.5% in Los Angeles
Family (3-4BR)
Boston
$4,920/mo
Los Angeles
$4,260/mo
-13.4% in Los Angeles
Frequently Asked Questions
How much salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Boston income?
$100k in Boston = $91k in Los Angeles. Los Angeles has a cost-of-living index of 1.76 vs 1.93 for Boston (1.00 = US average). That's a 8.8% decrease in overall living costs.
How does rent compare between Boston and Los Angeles?
A 1-bedroom apartment in Boston averages $2,900/month, while the same in Los Angeles runs $2,450/month — that's 15.5% less in Los Angeles. For a 2-bedroom, expect $3,700/month in Boston vs $3,200/month in Los Angeles.
How does state income tax change when moving from Boston to Los Angeles?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,736/year in MA (effective rate: 26.26%). The equivalent salary in CA is $91,192, giving you $67,821/year (effective rate: 25.63%).
Is moving from Boston to Los Angeles a good financial decision?
Los Angeles is 8.8% cheaper than Boston. Even at the same salary, your purchasing power would increase by roughly 8.8%. Rent in Los Angeles is $2,450/month for a 1BR, compared to $2,900/month in Boston.