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Vancouver vs Los Angeles

Vancouver runs about 32% cheaper than Los Angeles for this household, a difference of 1,119 USD a month.

Downtown Eastside, Vancouver during coronavirus pandemic
Vancouver
$3,541/month · Canada
GoToVan from Vancouver, Canada · CC BY 2.0
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
Vancouver monthly
$3,541
Index 55 (NYC = 100)
Los Angeles monthly
$4,659
Index 73 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+32%
Los Angeles relative to Vancouver
Rent gap
$407
Los Angeles costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

VancouverLos Angeles
  • Housing
    Housing: Vancouver $2,100, Los Angeles $2,507. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Food
    Food: Vancouver $774, Los Angeles $849. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Transport
    Transport: Vancouver $162, Los Angeles $186. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Vancouver $221, Los Angeles $239. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Vancouver $9.20, Los Angeles $537. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Vancouver $168, Los Angeles $182. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Other
    Other: Vancouver $107, Los Angeles $159. Cheaper in Vancouver.
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

MetricVancouverLos Angeles
Cost
Total monthly cost3,541 USD✓4,659 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)55✓73
Housing2,100 USD✓2,507 USD
Utilities221 USD✓239 USD
Food774 USD✓849 USD
Transport162 USD✓186 USD
Healthcare9 USD✓537 USD
Lifestyle168 USD✓182 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,088 USD✓5,978 USD
Effective tax + social rate26.9%✓28.3%
Left over each month2,547 USD✓1,319 USD
Average local net salary3,300 USD4,600 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,100 USD✓2,507 USD
3-bed rent, city centre3,700 USD✓4,714 USD
Buy price per m², centre10,500 USD9,500 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety74/100✓48/100
Healthcare84/100✓82/100
Air quality84/100✓45/100
Public transport70/100✓48/100
Walkability76/100✓55/100
English proficiency96/100100/100✓
Nightlife72/10088/100✓
Family friendliness82/100✓62/100
Median broadband210 Mbps230 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature11°C✓18°C
Summer high23°C✓29°C
Winter low1°C9°C✓
Sunshine hours per year1,930 h3,250 h✓
Annual rainfall1190 mm380 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access15 min✓30 min
CurrencyCADUSD
Time zoneAmerica/VancouverAmerica/Los_Angeles

Vancouver runs about 32% cheaper than Los Angeles for this household, a difference of 1,119 USD a month.

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Cost of living in VancouverCost of living in Los AngelesConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Vancouver vs TorontoVancouver vs SeattleVancouver vs Chicago
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Vancouver or Los Angeles cheaper?

Vancouver runs about 32% cheaper than Los Angeles for this household, a difference of 1,119 USD a month.

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

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,088 a month in Vancouver and $5,978 in Los Angeles, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

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

Vancouver scores 74/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; Los Angeles scores 48 and 82. Vancouver averages 11°C against 18°C in Los Angeles.