Los Angeles vs Philadelphia: cost of living compared
Philadelphia is 36% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. State income tax tops out around 3.07% in PA vs 9.3% in CA.
Indexes use a US average of 100: below 100 is cheaper than the national average. Housing and transportation are derived from median home prices, rents and commute times; figures come from BLS, Census ACS, Numbeo and the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
The big picture
Moving from Philadelphia to Los Angeles means facing a significantly higher overall cost of living, driven primarily by housing expenses. While some other categories are also more expensive in Los Angeles, the difference in housing costs creates the largest financial impact, making Los Angeles substantially pricier across the board. Philadelphia offers a more moderate cost of living, closer to the national average.
Housing
Housing costs present a stark contrast between the two metros. Both buying a home and renting a one-bedroom apartment are dramatically more expensive in Los Angeles. Philadelphia offers much more affordable housing options, with median home prices and rents considerably lower. Los Angeles housing often features sprawling single-family homes and dense multi-unit buildings, while Philadelphia is known for its historic rowhouses and a mix of other housing types.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses, including food, healthcare, and utilities, are noticeably higher in Los Angeles compared to Philadelphia. Transportation costs are also elevated in both metros, though somewhat less so in Philadelphia. A significant difference is the state income tax, which is considerably higher in California than in Pennsylvania, impacting overall take-home pay and daily spending power.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Los Angeles offers a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine, while Philadelphia experiences four distinct seasons, including cold winters and hot summers. Both metros have extensive public transit options, but Los Angeles is often characterized by its car-centric culture and sprawling nature, whereas Philadelphia is more walkable and densely built. The pace of life can feel different, with Los Angeles often perceived as more spread out and Philadelphia as more compact.
Bottom line
For households considering a move, the financial implications are substantial. A household budget that is comfortable in Philadelphia would need significant adjustments to accommodate the much higher costs in Los Angeles, especially for housing. Conversely, moving from Los Angeles to Philadelphia would likely free up considerable financial resources due to the dramatically lower cost of living across most categories, particularly housing and state income tax.
| Measure | Los Angeles, CA | Philadelphia, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 175 | 112 |
| Housing index | 201 | 91 |
| Transportation index | 129 | 120 |
| Food index | 112 | 105 |
| Healthcare index | 118 | 108 |
| Utilities index | 128 | 105 |
| Misc index | 118 | 102 |
| Median home price | $795,000 | $298,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $2,400/mo | $1,550/mo |
| Average commute | 34 min | 34 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific Philadelphia home with the True Cost Calculator.