Cost of Living in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is one of the most expensive cities in the United States, primarily driven by high housing demand and transportation costs. While lifestyle expenses can vary significantly by neighborhood, residents typically face a cost of living well above the national average.
Overview text is model-generated; see the note below.
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Monthly Cost Estimate
excluding rent
including 1-bedroom rent
Single person in Los Angeles. Totals are the sum of the category ranges below (low ends added together, high ends added together), so a real budget usually falls somewhere in between.
Cost Breakdown by Category
Housing & Rent
$2,200 – $3,600
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment, ranging from neighborhoods like the Valley to Downtown and West LA.
Food & Groceries
$550 – $900
Cost of groceries from markets like Ralphs or Whole Foods, plus moderate dining out.
Transportation
$150 – $450
Costs for a Metro pass, fuel for commuting, and occasional rideshares. LA is heavily car-dependent.
Utilities
$180 – $320
Basic electricity, water, gas, and high-speed internet. Air conditioning typically increases costs in summer.
Healthcare
$350 – $650
Average out-of-pocket costs for healthcare visits and monthly insurance premiums.
Entertainment
$250 – $600
Gym memberships, movie tickets, and exploring the city's extensive restaurant and bar scene.
Build your own monthly budget
Starts at the midpoint of each estimate for Los Angeles. Type your own amounts to see your total and annual figure. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere.
Estimate: $2,200 – $3,600
Estimate: $550 – $900
Estimate: $150 – $450
Estimate: $180 – $320
Estimate: $350 – $650
Estimate: $250 – $600
Yearly: $5,100 × 12 = $61,200. Excludes taxes, debt payments, savings, childcare, education, car ownership and one-off costs such as deposits or moving.
New to ranges? Read how to turn these estimates into a personal budget.
Comfortable Living
Estimated monthly spending for a comfortable lifestyle in Los Angeles, with regular dining out and leisure:
Including rent • Single person • Excludes income tax and savings • A separate model estimate, not derived from the category totals above
Frequently Asked Questions about Los Angeles
The first answer is calculated from the figures on this page. The others are model-generated text; answers that quoted older dollar figures are hidden so they cannot contradict the totals above.