Cost of Living: Los Angeles vs Seattle (2026)

Los Angeles vs Seattle cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Seattle is about 2% less expensive than Los Angeles overall — $100,000 in Los Angeles is worth about $97,858 in Seattle.

Seattle is about 2% less expensive than Los Angeles overall — $100,000 in Los Angeles is worth about $97,858 in Seattle.

Los Angeles vs Seattle: the numbers

MetricLos AngelesSeattleDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)114111-2%
Median rent$1,879$1,998+6%
Median home value$879,500$912,100+4%
Median household income$80,366$121,984+52%

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 $97,858 in Seattle. Going the other way, $100,000 in Seattle is like $102,189 in Los Angeles.

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

Compare any salary: Los Angeles vs Seattle

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Los Angeles is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 114 vs 111 — a 2% difference. Your money goes further in Seattle.

About $97,858 — that's what you'd need in Seattle to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Los Angeles.