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
54% higher compared to New York City.
Housing costs are a major driver: New York City's average rent is
55% higher than Los Angeles's.
| Metric | New York City | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $3,382 | $2,184 | +55% |
| Groceries | $520 | $450 | +16% |
| Utilities | $370 | $231 | +60% |
| Transport | $130 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $4,652 | $3,015 | +54% |
| Cost Index | 178 | 149 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New York City offers 107% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, New York City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in New York City is estimated at
$61,000 vs $61,558 in Los Angeles.
| Metric | New York City | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $100,877 | $48,651 |
| Salary Needed | $61,000 | $61,558 |
| Purchasing Power | 56,672 idx | 32,652 idx |
| Household Income | $80,483 | $81,939 |
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% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Los Angeles has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 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 | 43 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 88.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 89.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 167.60 | 60.00 |
| 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.
On the employment side, New York City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | New York City | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,585,000 | 3,863,148 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 5.20% |
| GDP | $1,354.0B | $1,000.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
New York City
Advantages
New York City is the most linguistically diverse city globally, with an estimated 800 languages spoken.
The city boasts a world-class public transportation system, with a transit score of 88 and a walkability score of 89.
New York City's private sector employment reached a record high of 4.25 million jobs in December 2024.
Overall index crime in New York City saw a nearly 3% reduction in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of declines.
New York City is a global hub for finance, media, tech, healthcare, and tourism, offering unparalleled opportunities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in New York City is 78% higher than the national average, making it one of the most expensive cities globally.
Median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Manhattan reached $4,595 in April 2024.
The city experienced a population decline of 12,000 residents between June 2024 and July 2025.
New York City has a high traffic index of 167.6 and an average commute time of 43.34 minutes.
Housing affordability has reached a crisis due to high costs and a slow pace of new housing construction.
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, particularly in entertainment, healthcare, and technology sectors, offering varied job opportunities.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine, making it ideal for outdoor activities year-round.
Healthcare quality is high, with major institutions like LA General Medical Center receiving top safety grades and exceeding state benchmarks.
Los Angeles is a global cultural hub, offering a rich array of arts, dining, and entertainment options.
Homicides in Los Angeles decreased by 19% in 2025 compared to 2024, marking the lowest number since 1966.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly high, with housing expenses being 135% higher than the national average.
Los Angeles is a highly car-dependent city, leading to severe traffic congestion and long commute times, averaging 30 minutes.
The city's population is experiencing a slight annual decline, with a -0.15% growth rate projected for 2026.
Despite improvements, Los Angeles's safety score of 58/100 indicates a moderate crime rate, higher than the average U.S. city.
Utility costs in Los Angeles are 9% higher than the national average, adding to the overall expense of living.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
New York City
#65New York, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,382
Avg Salary
$100,877
Cost Index
178
Commute
43 min
Transit Score
88.0/10
Walkability
89.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
62
Los Angeles
#65California, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,184
Avg Salary
$48,651
Cost Index
149
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
70
Business
75
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