Cost of Living in Los Angeles, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,365 (excluding rent), and $3,636 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,393 (excluding rent), and $7,158 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.33 $25.33

$15.2 $15.2

$50.7 $50.7

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$71 $71

$152 $152

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.99 $13.99

$11.99 $11.99

$14.99 $14.99

Cappuccino

$5.68 $5.68

$3.93 $3.93

$7.86 $7.86

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.98 $2.98

$2.05 $2.05

$4.61 $4.61

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.24 $2.24

$1.97 $1.97

$2.95 $2.95

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.41 $8.41

$4.95 $4.95

$11.88 $11.88

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.14 $10.14

$7.1 $7.1

$12.17 $12.17

Milk (1 liter)

$1.2 $1.2

$0.78 $0.78

$1.7 $1.7

White Bread (500g)

$4.49 $4.49

$2.25 $2.25

$9.03 $9.03

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.03 $6.03

$2.26 $2.26

$10.27 $10.27

Eggs

$7.37 $7.37

$3.44 $3.44

$10.81 $10.81

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.57 $12.57

$8.74 $8.74

$32.78 $32.78

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.66 $16.66

$8.63 $8.63

$23.79 $23.79

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.51 $19.51

$8.78 $8.78

$36.89 $36.89

Apples (1kg)

$5.98 $5.98

$2.74 $2.74

$8.76 $8.76

Banana (1kg)

$2.65 $2.65

$1.29 $1.29

$6.55 $6.55

Oranges (1kg)

$4.38 $4.38

$1.7 $1.7

$9.07 $9.07

Tomato (1kg)

$4.75 $4.75

$2.18 $2.18

$8.75 $8.75

Potato (1kg)

$3.05 $3.05

$1.11 $1.11

$4.45 $4.45

Onion (1kg)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.13 $1.13

$4.52 $4.52

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.9 $1.9

$1.01 $1.01

$3.02 $3.02

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.2 $2.2

$1.31 $1.31

$4.55 $4.55

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.7 $11.7

$9.96 $9.96

$13.95 $13.95

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$8.09 $8.09

$25.28 $25.28

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.51 $2.51

$1.69 $1.69

$3.91 $3.91

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.12 $3.12

$1.7 $1.7

$5.84 $5.84

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.79 $1.79

$2.56 $2.56

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$82.4 $82.4

$64.2 $64.2

$128 $128

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.03 $3.03

$6.85 $6.85

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.73 $1.73

$3.83 $3.83

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.01 $29.01

$31.91 $31.91

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 $1.29

$1.16 $1.16

$1.48 $1.48

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$31.4K $31.4K

$24.7K $24.7K

$33.6K $33.6K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.6K $26.6K

$25.5K $25.5K

$29K $29K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$184 $184

$101 $101

$353 $353

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$66.6 $66.6

$29.9 $29.9

$92.7 $92.7

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.7 $71.7

$55.1 $55.1

$96.9 $96.9

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$48.52 $48.52

$25.4 $25.4

$152 $152

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.3 $12.3

$7.87 $7.87

$19.68 $19.68

Cinema Ticket

$18.22 $18.22

$14.16 $14.16

$20.24 $20.24

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,784 $1,784

$1,398 $1,398

$2,396 $2,396

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.3K $23.3K

$19.6K $19.6K

$39.3K $39.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.6 $62.6

$40.32 $40.32

$121 $121

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.3 $47.3

$25.29 $25.29

$60.8 $60.8

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 $102

$69.7 $69.7

$129 $129

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$152 $152

$86 $86

$202 $202

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,651 $2,651

$2,130 $2,130

$3,044 $3,044

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,093 $2,093

$1,773 $1,773

$2,431 $2,431

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,456 $4,456

$3,995 $3,995

$5,992 $5,992

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,705 $3,705

$2,950 $2,950

$4,770 $4,770

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,019 $8,019

$6,831 $6,831

$9,872 $9,872

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$7,288 $7,288

$6,577 $6,577

$8,551 $8,551

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,350 $4,350

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.49

6.19

7.25

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 25, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Los Angeles, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

Los Angeles offers world-class amenities, diverse neighborhoods, and a thriving work scene, but its scale comes with a price tag. For many, the primary driver of cost is housing, followed by transportation and dining out. In general terms, Cost of Living in Los Angeles, CA, United States sits higher than most other American metro areas, while offering a wide range of options – from shared apartments to upscale condos. Your budgeting approach should start with a transit-friendly base to reduce car costs, then layer in seasonal activities and occasional splurges. Tip: Map neighborhoods by commute, safety, and access to groceries to stay flexible.

Expect a mix of high-density core options and more affordable pockets in the suburbs. Start your housing search near transit lines to cut parking hassles and long commutes. You’ll find a range of rentals – studio to multi-bedroom – often with competitive terms if you’re flexible on building amenities. Grocery options range from farmers markets to big supermarket chains; cooking at home helps manage expenses. Transport includes driving, rideshares, and a growing Metro network, plus bike lanes in many neighborhoods. Errands cluster by neighborhood, so mapping your route saves time. Los Angeles, CA, United States living cost shapes when and where you shop, dine, and work. Tip: Build a simple, neighborhood-focused plan to minimize trips, and look for combo passes for transit and groceries.

Quality of life in LA hinges on choosing a neighborhood that fits your pace and rhythms. If you want beach vibes, look to the Westside; for a creative scene and more affordable options, consider Silver Lake or Echo Park; for quiet, family-friendly streets, the Valley or the Eastside offer options. Use a budgeting framework that prioritizes housing near transit, then set aside for groceries and occasional dining. Seasonal planning helps: summer outdoor events, fall street fairs, mild winter hikes. Tip: test a neighborhood during different times of day and week to feel the tempo, safety, and noise levels.