Everything You Need to Know About the Cost of Living in Los Angeles

LA is a famous and desirable location to live in for many reasons. From excellent job opportunities to amazing weather, this metropolis truly has what it takes to make your dreams come true. Whatever your reasons to move here are, one thing is for sure – you will have a unique and exciting experience in LA, and before you know it, you will start calling this metropolis home. But before you book your cross-country movers, find out all there is to know about the average cost of living in Los Angeles.

Daily Life Costs Are Similar to Other Metropolitan Cities

There is no doubt that LA is considered steep, but if you consider the vast number of benefits you will have in this metropolis, it may change your mind. And to be fair, all world-famous metropolises will charge you for location and opportunities you can easily grasp. When comparing cities and how much money you need to have to live normally, you need to take into consideration what you will get in return.

Let’s Compare Prices in Los Angeles and the Other United States Cities

According to data we gathered from Numbeo, we compared the most desirable metropoles in the States and how much money you will need to have for a normal life. Find out how expensive are metropoles is in the United States:

• Cost of living in Seattle vs Los Angeles – To maintain the same life standard, you will need $700 more in Seattle than in LA. But, a one-bedroom apartment in the center of Seattle will be $2,000, while in LA, you will pay $2,300 for the same thing.
• Cost of living in Los Angeles vs New York – In New York, you will need around $8,700 to have the same standard as in LA. But the average house price is lower in New York. And overall, LA is 7.4% more affordable than New York.
• Cost of living in San Diego vs Los Angeles – San Diego has similar housing and consumer prices as LA. Housing in SD is 6.4% more affordable than LA, and overall, San Diego is 7.6% less expensive than the City of Angels.
• Cost of living in Los Angeles vs San Francisco – Consumer prices with rent are 19% lower than in San Francisco and overall, San Franciso housing is by far more expensive than LA’s (66.5%).

Cost of Living in Los Angeles – How Much Will You Pay For Housing?

Before you decide where to live in LA, you need to understand that you are not relocating to a small town and that location and area where you decide to relocate will determine the price. So if you are relocating without a job, pick a neighborhood close to the city center so you can commute easily. On the other hand, if you are relocating with kids, you need to find a neighborhood with good schools and other amenities for kids.

If you are relocating alone and want to be in the center of the action, a one-bedroom apartment in the center will be $2,300. If you are looking for a bigger place, you will pay more – a three-bedroom apartment in the city center will be around $4,400 per month. But outside the city center, you will be able to find cheaper apartments for rent. One-bedroom flat outside the center is around $1,700, and a three-bedroom place is $3,600 per month.

Still, if you are not willing to relocate from the house into an apartment and you wish to buy a house in LA, the average house price is $689,500. But remember that this is as with all averages – how much you will pay depends on the neighborhood and square footage.

In LA, You Will Not Pay Much for Utilities

When thinking, “is the cost of living expensive in Los Angeles,” utilities shouldn’t be something to worry about. Basic utilities, which means electricity, heating, garbage cooling, and water, will be around $120, and with the internet, that amount will rise to around $184 per month. If we compare this with the national average, you will pay 8% more. So if you are relocating for the first time, make sure to add these expenditures into your savings for the moving budget.

California Is Famous for Its Excellent Food, but How Much Will Groceries Cost You?

Probably the biggest differences when moving from the East Coast to the West Coast are climate and food. And yes, in LA, vegan burgers and avocado will be all around you. Still, this doesn’t mean you will not be able to find juicy steak or top-notch pizza. California will offer you plenty of fresh ingredients and amazing cuisines from all over the world. So, how much will you need to put aside for food here? Well, if you decide to eat in mid-range restaurants, you will pay a three-course meal for two people $85, while a pint of domestic beer will be $7,00.

If you still feel anxious about relocating to LA and are hesitant to book your long-distance movers for cross-country moving services, remember that you are not relocating to a cold climate and that plenty of seafood, exquisite fish, fresh vegetables, and much more await at every corner. Here are the prices for some of the basic groceries.

You Have Several Transportation Options and Each One Costs Differently

There are plenty of benefits of car shipping and if you already have arranged car shipping service with your long-distance moving company, good job. Driving along the Pacific Coast Highway is something you don’t want to miss out on. If you have a car adjusted for the cold climate, don’t worry – there are plenty of mountains to see as well. But going around by car is not your only option.

It is a metropolitan city, so naturally, there is a pretty decent subway and public transportation system you can use. A one-way ticket on a local transportation system will be around $2, while a monthly pass is around $100. Taxi is around $5, while a gallon of gas is $6.

Healthcare Is Among the Best in the Country

We could say that healthcare in LA is advanced. It is home to some of the most modern and best hospitals in the country, and this will come at a certain price. Still, that price is below the national average. A doctor’s visit is around $120, while a dentist is around $100. So before you start packing a moving truck, remember to put a change of health insurance on your relocation list because you will need a good policy. And this should be one of the first things to do after relocating, so you don’t miss out on the enrolling window.

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Los Angeles?

Wondering how much does a single person need to make to live in Los Angeles? On average person needs to have an annual salary of $70,000 to have a comfortable life. The average monthly income is $6,155, and the median household income is $62,140. And if we look at the average cost of living in Los Angeles per year, the number will be $27,000 for a one-bedroom apartment if you live on your own.

However, if you are with the family and need a three-bedroom apartment, this number will be $232,000. Overall, families of four have expenditures of $102,200 per year, according to the Economic Policy Institute. Also, if you are relocating with pets, a vet visit will be around $55, so keep that in mind as well.

Still, there are ways to lead a more modest life in LA, and of course, there are plenty of high-paying jobs available, so these numbers will not feel so intimidating. If you cut off some unnecessary luxuries, a person alone in LA can survive with $50,000 to $60,000 per year.

Other Expenditures in LA You Need to Count on When Moving Across the Country

Moving cross country needs to bring something good in your life or at least to maintain your current lifestyle. So utilities and housing are not all people need to look out for when packing shoes, clothing, and other essential things for moving. For example, you can save a lot of money if you pack all your summer dresses and do not count on buying new ones in LA because, on average, the dress will be $40.

Also, if you are still thinking about whether you should pack your kitchen items and furniture, we suggest you keep them so you don’t end up spending too much money on replacing the things you decide to toss away.

When downsizing for a move, make sure not to overdo it because you believe you will buy it all once you relocate. Ensure that important stuff ends up on the pile of things you plan to keep when relocating. If you are scared about where you will keep these belongings, you can always find a company that offers storage facilities and keep your stuff there until you are all settled in.

Now You Know All About the Expenditures in LA – It Is Time to Book Best Movers to Get You There

The fact is that LA is probably one of the most popular places to live in the world and a place rich in culture and amazing architecture. It is also a place that offers so many choices. You don’t even need to be filthy rich to live in LA – you can have a modest, normal life and enjoy things you would only dream about in a small town or any other city in the States. But you will have to be careful and prioritize your expenditures to make this work, and one of the expenses you will have is booking cross-country movers to help you out.

The most efficient way to move is to hire a company that can offer you all the services you need, from packing services to car shipping. This way, you will not waste your time and money on a bunch of different companies to do this for you.