Cost of Living: Los Angeles vs Philadelphia (2026)

Los Angeles vs Philadelphia cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Philadelphia is about 10% less expensive than Los Angeles overall — $100,000 in Los Angeles is worth about $90,303 in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia is about 10% less expensive than Los Angeles overall — $100,000 in Los Angeles is worth about $90,303 in Philadelphia.

Los Angeles vs Philadelphia: the numbers

MetricLos AngelesPhiladelphiaDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)114103-10%
Median rent$1,879$1,323-30%
Median home value$879,500$232,400-74%
Median household income$80,366$60,698-24%

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 Los Angeles has the same buying power as about $90,303 in Philadelphia. Going the other way, $100,000 in Philadelphia is like $110,738 in Los Angeles.

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

Compare any salary: Los Angeles vs Philadelphia

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Los Angeles is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 114 vs 103 — a 10% difference. Your money goes further in Philadelphia.

About $90,303 — that's what you'd need in Philadelphia to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Los Angeles.