Performance
Score Breakdown
New York City
Los Angeles
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Los Angeles is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
48% higher compared to New York City.
Housing costs are a major driver: New York City's average rent is
78% higher than Los Angeles's.
| Metric | New York City | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $4,719 | $2,656 | +78% |
| Groceries | $500 | $550 | -9% |
| Utilities | $175 | $320 | -45% |
| Transport | $132 | $150 | -12% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $200 | +10% |
| Monthly Total | $5,746 | $3,876 | +48% |
| Cost Index | 179 | 152 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Los Angeles offers 1% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Los Angeles delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in New York City is estimated at
$171,000 vs $100,000 in Los Angeles.
| Metric | New York City | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $73,950 | $75,000 |
| Salary Needed | $171,000 | $100,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 41,313 idx | 49,342 idx |
| Household Income | $74,694 | $90,757 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | New York City | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 63.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Los Angeles has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to New York City.
New York City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New York City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | New York City | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 41 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 90.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Walkability | 88.0/10 | 68.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 85.00 | 75.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New York City is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Los Angeles.
From a growth perspective, New York City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | New York City | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,478,000 | 3,869,089 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.04% | % |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 37.0 |
| Unemployment | 5.60% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $760.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
New York City
Advantages
New York City's population grew by 1.04% between July 2023 and July 2024, indicating strong appeal and recovery.
The city's private sector added 115,000 jobs in 2024, demonstrating a robust and growing job market.
New York City companies raised $24 billion in venture capital in 2024, highlighting a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Overall major crime in New York City decreased by nearly 3% in 2024 compared to 2023, contributing to a safer urban environment.
New York City offers unparalleled cultural and entertainment opportunities, with world-class theaters, museums, and dining.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in New York City is 79% higher than the national average, primarily driven by extremely high housing costs.
A single adult needs an estimated $171,000 before taxes to live comfortably in New York City.
The average one-way commute time in New York City was 40.6 minutes in 2024, making it one of the longest in the U.S.
New York State's hospital quality ratings are among the lowest in the U.S., with an average of 2.5 out of 5 stars in 2025.
Felony assaults in New York City increased by 4.9% in 2024 and remain 40.4% above 2019 levels, contributing to lingering safety concerns.
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.
New York City
#40New York, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$4,719
Avg Salary
$73,950
Cost Index
179
Commute
41 min
Transit Score
90.0/10
Walkability
88.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.04%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
68
Business
80
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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