Los Angeles is the most populous city in the U.S. state of California. With a 2024 population of 3,748,640, it is the second-most populous city in the United States, behind New York City. It is also Southern California’s commercial, financial, and cultural centre. Many people love the energy of the city. All the creative jobs and characters in this city. But at the same time, you must admit that affording the cost of living in Los Angeles can be challenging. So, before you search for your ideal house to rent in LA, let’s dive into the essential cost of living in California Los Angeles.
Average Living Expense in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is not that expensive. Like most major cities, most of your money will be spent on housing. According to statistics, the annual average gross salary in Los Angeles is $75,831 ($6,319 monthly), and the cost of living in Los Angeles area for a single person is $3,277. Additionally, Renting a room, not an apartment, could help you budget for the price of living in Los Angeles. The table below helps you navigate the living expenses in LA.
| Type | Average rent in LA |
|---|---|
| Private Room | US$1,460.54/month |
| Shared Room | US$1,191.27/month |
| Studio | US$2,359.51/month |
| 1B | US$2,860.35/month |
| 2B | US$4,091.77/month |
| 3B | US$6,577.43/month |
The proximity to major commercial centres and famous sights drives up housing prices. If you want to save cost of living in LA, consider living in more affordable neighbourhoods in Los Angeles, finding roommates to share living expenses, or exploring alternative housing options like co-living spaces. If you don’t know where to rent in LA, some popular neighborhood are as follows:
Koreatown offers terrific rent value while offering a hip and safe neighborhood. It is central to the city, with easy access to the train and major bus routes. If you will be working Downtown, this is the best neighborhood for you.
North Hollywood also offers terrific value but is not in the city centre. You are at the terminal end of the Red Line, and getting around the valley is a nightmare without a car compared to the city. The nightlife here is vibrant; if you will be working in Hollywood or the Valley, this is the best neighbourhood for you.
Palms is a sleepy and diverse neighbourhood just west of Culver City and adjacent to Venice. It is a bit boring compared to living in other communities. If you don’t mind, you can head to nearby Culver City, Santa Monica, or Venice/Abbot-Kinney for entertainment. It is within walking distance to the newly opened expo line giving you easy access to Downtown. If you are working in Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey, or Culver City, this is the best neighbourhood for you.
Cost of Food in Los Angeles
It isn’t surprising that rent makes up the largest part of your monthly budget, followed by groceries and leisure. Food can be inexpensive if you shop at produce markets. Budget your food expenses, avoid eating out cook for yourself is feasible. Here is a table of food price in markets.
| Type | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| Milk (regular),(1 liter) | 1.27$ |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread(500g) | 5.32$ |
| Rice(white),(1kg) | 5.99$ |
| Eggs (regular)(12) | 5.36$ |
| Local Cheese(1kg) | 13.93 $ |
| Chicken Fillets(1kg) | 16.77 $ |
| Beef Round (1kg) | 18.40$ |
| Apples(1kg) | 5.50$ |
| Banana(1kg) | 2.10$ |
| Oranges(1kg) | 3.30$ |
| Tomato(1kg) | 4.91$ |
| Potato(1kg) | 3.17$ |
| Onion(1kg) | 2.38$ |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 2.06 $ |
| Water(1.5 liter bottle) | 2.22$ |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 15.00$ |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | 2.17$ |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 3.90$ |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | 12.00$ |
Cost of Transportation in LA
Depending on how far and quickly you realistically need to commute, buy either a bicycle or a scooter. The bike is a surprisingly good method of transportation in Los Angeles, with many new bike lanes being built every day. The scooter will get you places faster for a higher upfront cost than a bike, but the maintenance, gas, and insurance payments are minuscule compared to a car. Gas, insurance, and car payments will eat up your income.
To reduce transportation costs, use public transportation, carpool, bike, or walk. LA’s subway system has 101 stops, costs $1.75 per ride, and many workplaces subsidize this pass or even pay for it outright.
- Subway: The subway is the most popular and cost-effective way to travel around Los Angeles. A single ride on the subway costs $1.75, and you can transfer between subway lines for free with a MetroCard. If you plan to use the subway frequently, consider purchasing an Unlimited MetroCard:
Day Pass/1-Day Cap: $5
7-Day Unlimited: $18
30-Day Unlimited: Not Offered
- Bus: LA buses provide another convenient option for getting around the city. Like the subway, a single bus ride fareis $1.75. If you plan to use both buses and subways, you can transfer between them for free within two hours of your initial fare payment.
- Biking: Renting a bike or using a bike-sharing service is a great way to explore the city while getting some exercise:
Single ride: $1.75 for 30 minutes
Day pass: $5 to Start
30 Day pass: $17/month
Annual membership: $150 per year
- Walking: Exploring the city on foot is free and a fantastic way to discover hidden gems and enjoy the vibrant vibe of Los Angeles streets.
- Rideshare: Uber, Lyft, and Via offer convenient door-to-door transportation options. Prices vary depending on distance, time of day, and demand. As a reference, a typical rideshare trip can range from $10 to $30.
Cost of Health Insurance in LA
Most people in California are required to have health coverage. California is one of four states, plus the District of Columbia, that penalizes residents for not having health insurance. This tax season, Californians are seeing health insurance penalties of up to $850 per adult and $425 per child.The average cost of health insurance in California is $600 per month in 2024.
LA Care has the lowest health insurance rates in California across all plan tiers. The company’s cheapest rates are between $282 and $411 per month, depending on the level of coverage. The most affordable Silver plan in CA is the LA Care Silver 70 HMO, which costs as little as $335 per month and is available in Los Angeles and Riverside counties. Without health insurance in LA, it can cost around $200 if it’s your first time getting an eye exam and around $150 if you are a recurring patient. A routine check-up may range from $75 to $200 if you visit a dentist.
Cost of Entertainment and Recreation in LA
Los Angeles is famous for its glamorous entertainment industry and stunning natural landscapes. While living expenses in California are higher, other costs are pretty low. There is Good year-round weather, lovely parks and hiking, and free cultural events and museums. Many people love living here, and it has mountain biking trails, hiking trails, beautiful Mammoth Mountain, and beaches. If you live in Los Angeles, you will love driving through Beverly Hills and the Larchmont area neighbourhoods, supersized by beautiful homes and apartment buildings. West Hollywood, Disney Land and Universal Studios are some of the most popular attractions in LA.
In La La Land, the average monthly fitness fee for an adult is $68. Other recreation expenses in Los Angeles include a cinema ticket, which costs about $18. If you want to relax at the weekend, there are many bars, from your neighbourhood dive bars to sports bars; one cocktail drink costs $18. If you want to live comfortably, we suggest you budget at least $150 – $200 monthly for entertainment.
FAQ
While your spending habits influence your budget. On average, the cost of living in California is $2,437 per month excluding tuition fees. The cost of housing in California will be $1,888 /month while the cost of food will come to around $108 /month and transportation will cost on average $159 /month.
Living comfortably on an average salary in California can be challenging due to the high cost of living in the state. Housing costs, in particular, are significantly higher than the national average. However, “comfortable living” can vary from person to person. It’s important to consider factors such as location within California, personal lifestyle choices, and budgeting.
This place has afforded many opportunities and friends you’d never possibly met. From the fabulous year-round weather to the thriving entertainment scene, diverse neighborhoods, job opportunities, and more, most L.A. residents would likely say yes.
The median household salary in Los Angeles is about $55k per year. That’s enough to pay rent, buy food, and drive a used car.
At 55k, you probably aren’t going to be living in an awesome place, but you can live in some decent and safe areas for about $1500 per month. Even Hollywood has rent that low, but you also have Korea Town and plenty of places in the Valley.
At $70k, you can afford to live in slightly more expensive places, like downtown, Santa Monica, Westwood, and so on. The rents are getting above $2,000 per month in those areas.
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