Performance
Score Breakdown
Airdrie
Los Angeles
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Airdrie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
49% lower compared to Los Angeles.
Housing costs are a major driver: Airdrie's average rent is
59% lower than Los Angeles's.
| Metric | Airdrie | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,095 | $2,656 | -59% |
| Groceries | $365 | $550 | -34% |
| Utilities | $219 | $320 | -32% |
| Transport | $182 | $150 | +21% |
| Healthcare | $109 | $200 | -46% |
| Monthly Total | $1,970 | $3,876 | -49% |
| Cost Index | 152 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Los Angeles offers 51% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Airdrie is estimated at
$58,400 vs $100,000 in Los Angeles.
| Metric | Airdrie | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $36,938 | $75,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,400 | $100,000 |
| Household Income | $80,300 | $90,757 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Airdrie | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 67.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Airdrie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Los Angeles leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Airdrie | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Walkability | 45.0/10 | 68.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 75.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Angeles is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Airdrie is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Los Angeles has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Airdrie | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,544 | 3,869,089 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.34% | % |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.0 |
| Unemployment | 11.10% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $760.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Airdrie
Advantages
Airdrie has a high population growth rate of 4.34% year-over-year, indicating a dynamic and expanding community.
The median household income in Airdrie is $80,300 USD, which is higher than the national average.
The average commute time is relatively short at 25 minutes, contributing to a better work-life balance for many residents.
Airdrie offers a diverse job market with prominent opportunities in retail, healthcare, construction, and logistics.
The city has a young population with an average age of 34.8, fostering a vibrant and energetic community.
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in Airdrie is 11.1%, which is higher than the national average.
Housing affordability is a challenge, with median home prices requiring an income significantly above the city's median household income.
Rental costs in Airdrie are notably high, often exceeding those in the larger Calgary metropolitan area.
The city has a high car dependency, with limited public transit options, potentially leading to higher transportation costs.
Airdrie lacks a major acute care hospital, requiring residents to travel to Calgary for specialized medical services.
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, trade, and entertainment.
The city offers a vibrant cultural scene, including world-class museums, theaters, and a diverse culinary landscape.
Residents enjoy a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine and mild winters, ideal for outdoor activities.
Los Angeles is a global hub for innovation and technology, attracting talent and fostering new businesses.
The metropolitan area provides access to numerous educational institutions, from community colleges to top-tier universities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly higher than the national average, primarily driven by expensive housing.
Los Angeles experiences considerable traffic congestion, leading to long commute times and high car dependency.
Housing affordability remains a major challenge, with median home prices exceeding $1.0 million as of April 2026.
The city has experienced population decline in recent years, with Los Angeles County losing over 53,000 residents between July 2024 and July 2025.
The unemployment rate in Los Angeles County, at 5.6% in December 2025, is higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Airdrie
#4Alberta, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,095
Avg Salary
$36,938
Cost Index
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.34%
Unemployment
11.10%
Livability
75
Business
70
Los Angeles
#8California, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,656
Avg Salary
$75,000
Cost Index
152
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
68.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
80
Business
75
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