Cost of Living: Boston vs Los Angeles (2026)

Boston vs Los Angeles cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Los Angeles is about 5% more expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $104,895 in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles is about 5% more expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $104,895 in Los Angeles.

Boston vs Los Angeles: the numbers

MetricBostonLos AngelesDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)108114+5%
Median rent$2,093$1,879-10%
Median home value$710,400$879,500+24%
Median household income$94,755$80,366-15%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Boston has the same buying power as about $104,895 in Los Angeles. Going the other way, $100,000 in Los Angeles is like $95,333 in Boston.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Boston and Los Angeles.

Compare any salary: Boston vs Los Angeles

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Los Angeles is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 114 vs 108 — a 5% difference. Your money goes further in Boston.

About $104,895 — that's what you'd need in Los Angeles to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Boston.