Cost of Living: Los Angeles vs Washington (2026)

Q: "Is Los Angeles or Washington more expensive?"

"Los Angeles is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 114 vs 109 — a 4% difference. Your money goes further in Washington."

Q: "How much is $100,000 in Los Angeles worth in Washington?"

"About $95,877 — that's what you'd need in Washington to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Los Angeles."

Washington is about 4% less expensive than Los Angeles overall — $100,000 in Los Angeles is worth about $95,877 in Washington.

Los Angeles vs Washington: the numbers

Metric	Los Angeles	Washington	Difference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)	114	109	-4%
Median rent	$1,879	$1,900	+1%
Median home value	$879,500	$724,600	-18%
Median household income	$80,366	$106,287	+32%

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 $95,877 in Washington. Going the other way, $100,000 in Washington is like $104,300 in Los Angeles.

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

Compare any salary: Los Angeles vs Washington

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Los Angeles or Washington more expensive?

Los Angeles is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 114 vs 109 — a 4% difference. Your money goes further in Washington.

How much is $100,000 in Los Angeles worth in Washington?

About $95,877 — that's what you'd need in Washington to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Los Angeles.