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Seattle vs Los Angeles

Seattle runs about 12% cheaper than Los Angeles for this household, a difference of 497 USD a month.

The Seattle skyline at dusk as viewed from the Jose Rizal Bridge. In the foreground is the Interstate 5 in Washington.
Seattle
$4,162/month · United States
Dllu · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Crypto.com arena in Los Angeles, as seen from a DJI Mavic 3.
Los Angeles
$4,659/month · United States
InvadingInvader · CC BY-SA 4.0
Seattle monthly
$4,162
Index 65 (NYC = 100)
Los Angeles monthly
$4,659
Index 73 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+12%
Los Angeles relative to Seattle
Rent gap
$487
Los Angeles costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

SeattleLos Angeles
  • Housing
    Housing: Seattle $2,020, Los Angeles $2,507. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Food
    Food: Seattle $849, Los Angeles $849. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Transport
    Transport: Seattle $189, Los Angeles $186. Cheaper in Los Angeles.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Seattle $227, Los Angeles $239. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Seattle $537, Los Angeles $537. Cheaper in Los Angeles.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Seattle $181, Los Angeles $182. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Other
    Other: Seattle $159, Los Angeles $159. Cheaper in Seattle.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricSeattleLos Angeles
Cost
Total monthly cost4,162 USD✓4,659 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)65✓73
Housing2,020 USD✓2,507 USD
Utilities227 USD✓239 USD
Food849 USD849 USD
Transport189 USD186 USD✓
Healthcare537 USD537 USD✓
Lifestyle181 USD✓182 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,575 USD✓5,978 USD
Effective tax + social rate21.1%✓28.3%
Left over each month2,413 USD✓1,319 USD
Average local net salary5,800 USD✓4,600 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,020 USD✓2,507 USD
3-bed rent, city centre3,856 USD✓4,714 USD
Buy price per m², centre8,000 USD✓9,500 USD
Quality of life
Safety58/100✓48/100
Healthcare86/100✓82/100
Air quality78/100✓45/100
Public transport68/100✓48/100
Walkability74/100✓55/100
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife76/10088/100✓
Family friendliness70/100✓62/100
Median broadband260 Mbps✓230 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature12°C✓18°C
Summer high26°C✓29°C
Winter low2°C9°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,170 h3,250 h✓
Annual rainfall950 mm380 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access25 min✓30 min
CurrencyUSDUSD
Time zoneAmerica/Los_AngelesAmerica/Los_Angeles

Seattle runs about 12% cheaper than Los Angeles for this household, a difference of 497 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in SeattleCost of living in Los AngelesConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Seattle vs ChicagoSeattle vs VancouverSeattle vs Toronto
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Seattle or Los Angeles cheaper?

Seattle runs about 12% cheaper than Los Angeles for this household, a difference of 497 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Los Angeles compared with Seattle?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,575 a month in Seattle and $5,978 in Los Angeles, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Seattle or Los Angeles?

Seattle scores 58/100 on safety and 86/100 on healthcare; Los Angeles scores 48 and 82. Seattle averages 12°C against 18°C in Los Angeles.