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Cost of Living in Los Angeles for Bachelors & Family in 2025

One of the most popular cities in the world, Los Angeles (LA) is famous for its scenic landscape, Mediterranean climate, and cinematic relevance. However, the average cost of living in LA is also quite high compared to other cities.

The cost of living in Los Angeles depends on factors like income, rent, and lifestyle. Depending on how you plan your expenses, it can be an affordable or expensive city.

Continue reading to learn more about monthly expenses in Los Angeles.

Team Digit

Average Cost of Living in Los Angeles
Factors Determining the Cost of Living
Tips on Reducing the Cost of Living
Cost of Living in Los Angeles vs Other Metro Cities
Important Things to Know
Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Average Cost of Living in Los Angeles?

The money you spend each month in Los Angeles can greatly vary based on your lifestyle, accommodation, and hobbies.

Look at the table below to know about the average cost of living in Los Angeles for bachelors, students, couples, and families:

Area of Expense	Cost
Rent	$1,750 - $4,000
Entertainment	$70 - $300
Groceries	$180 - $250
Transport	$80 - $100
Utilities	$180 - $350
Schooling of children	$1,950 - $2,400

Cost of Living in Los Angeles for Bachelors

The cost of living for bachelors in Los Angeles usually includes rent, groceries, transportation, utilities, and leisure, which ranges widely based on locality, personal preferences, and lifestyle choices. The table below talks about some of the key expenses:

Area of Expense	Bachelors
Accommodation	$700 - $3,000
Groceries	$200 - $300
Transport	Starting $80
Utilities	$180 -$300
Entertainment and Shopping	$100 - $250
Housemaid	$33 per hour
Wi-Fi	$55
Bus Pass/Metro Pass	$80
Miscellaneous	$35 - $200

Cost of Living in Los Angeles for Students

Los Angeles student housing is affordable, and students can live frugally to save money. On average, a student spends around $2,500 to $3,000 each month on rent, transportation, groceries, and other personal expenses.

These are elaborated in the table below:

Area of Expense	Students
Rent (shared apartment)	$600 - $900
Rent (single room PG)	Starting $600
Food (monthly)	$200
Transportation (monthly)	$80 - $110
Utilities (monthly)	$180 - $250
WiFi	$55
Miscellaneous	$20 - $50
Bus Pass/Metro Pass	$80

Cost of Living in Los Angeles for a Family

A lively city for a family, Los Angeles boasts a variety of residential spaces, be it a studio or a condo. Depending on your rent and monthly expenses, you can spend around $4,800 - $8,000.

Look at the table below for specifics:

Area of Expense	Families
Accommodation	$1,800 - $5,000
Groceries & Food	$700 - $1,000
Transport	$250 - $300
Utilities	$200 - $250
Entertainment & Shopping	$150 - $500
Education & Daycare	$1,950 - $2,400
Housemaid	Starting $33 per hour
WiFi	Starting $72
Miscellaneous	$200 - $500

Cost of Living in Los Angeles for Couples

Living costs for couples in Los Angeles include residential expenses, groceries, entertainment, and personal expenses. Los Angeles can be quite expensive for couples, depending on the above factors. To learn about it, look at the table below:

Area of Expense	Couples
1 BHK apartment for rent	$1,200 - $4,000
2 BHK apartment for rent	$1,800 - $5,000
Electricity bill	$180
Bus pass	$80
Wi-Fi	$72
Groceries	$400 - $500
Meal for two	$120
Housemaid	Starting $33 per hour
Miscellaneous	$200 - $300

Factors That Determine the Cost of Living in Los Angeles

The cost of living in Los Angeles depends upon various factors like your place of rent, monthly groceries, utilities, and other miscellaneous expenses. Let us explore some of these categories:

1. Accommodation

Los Angeles, often called the city of sunshine and flowers, is known for its beautiful neighbourhoods. The city has a plethora of accommodation options to choose from based on your preferences.

Classification of Rentals	Price Range
1 BHK	$700 - $1,700
2 BHK	$1,800 - $5,000
3 BHK	$2,300 - $20,000
Paying Guest	$600 - $1,300

Below, the approximate cost to buy or rent in the most affordable and posh areas of the city is mentioned -

Location	Category	Rent Per Month	Buying Cost Per sq.ft
South-east Los Angeles	Affordable	Starting $1,500	Starting $800
Valley Glen	Affordable	Starting $1,200	Starting $216
Koreatown	Affordable	Starting $775	Starting $610
Westlake	Affordable	Starting $849	Starting $465
Bel Air	Posh	Starting $2,200	Starting $1,040
Pacific Palisades	Posh	Starting $2,200	Starting $810
Beverly Hills	Posh	Starting $1,500	Starting $820
Malibu	Posh	Starting $3,700	Starting $1,200
Beverly Crest	Posh	Starting $3,950	Starting $1,145

2. Transportation

Los Angeles is infamous for its traffic. It is not easy to get around the city without your vehicle. However, a few convenient modes of transportation are mentioned below.

Category	Approximate Cost
One-way ticket (public transport)	$1.75
Monthly pass (public transport)	$79.13
Price of diesel (2nd September 2024)	$4.749 per gallon
Price of petrol (12th September 2024)	$4.666 per gallon
Rental bikes and scooters	Starts $35 for 24hrs
Cabs (minimum cost)	$3

3. Groceries

A bachelor living in Los Angeles typically spends around $200 - $300 each month on groceries. This can vary based on lifestyle choices and dietary requirements. Refer to the list below to know more about it:

Grocery	Price
Milk (regular), (1 litre)	$1.22
Fresh Bread (500g)	$5.07
Rice (white) (1kg)	$6
Eggs (regular) (1 dozen)	$5
Local Cheese (1kg)	$14
Chicken 1 kg (boneless)	$16
Apples (1kg)	$6
Banana (1kg)	$2
Oranges (1kg)	$3.65
Tomato (1kg)	$5.13
Potato (1kg)	$2.99
Onion (1kg)	$2.62
Lettuce (1 head)	$1.98

4. Utilities

Utilities include amenities like gas, heating, cooling, garbage disposal, and water bill. These are not included in rent and can start from $180 per month, depending on your residential choice.

Monthly Utilities	Price
Basic (heating, cooling, electricity, water) for a house	$180.00
Prepaid mobile bill	$63.11
Internet for cable, ADSL, unlimited data	$73

5. Entertainment

Los Angeles is filled with affordable and expensive places to wine and dine after a hectic work week. These expenses should be a part of your calculations if you decide to move to Los Angeles.

Area of Expense	Approximate Cost
1 month gym membership	$58.93
1 morning cappuccino	$5.39
Tennis court rent for 1 hour	$9
Cinema (1 seat)	$18
Meal in an affordable restaurant (1 person)	$25
Three-course meal in a mid-range restaurant	$60
McMeal at McDonalds	$12

6. Childcare

If you plan on moving to Los Angeles with your family. You must keep education and childcare expenses in mind. Based on the school you choose and the number of children you have, educational fees will vary accordingly.

Schools and Childcare	Price
Preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, monthly for 1 Child	$1,950.00
Primary schools	$500.00
International primary school, yearly for 1 child	$22,475 - $36,350

Tips on Reducing the Cost of Living in Los Angeles

Here are some efficient ways to reduce your cost of living in Los Angeles:

Shop locally and avoid expensive grocery stores in wealthy neighbourhoods. Los Angeles is divided into many localities, and prices will often vary in departmental stores across the city depending on the locality.
Try out adventurous activities like hiking instead of purchasing a gym membership. Los Angeles has plenty of marked and unmarked trails for hikers. Not only is it great exercise, but it is also a way to save money on your gym membership.
Shop at thrift stores and flea markets. Los Angeles has flea markets in various neighbourhoods every weekend. You will find unique and affordable clothes, accessories, and even crockery at these markets. You can also shop at thrift stores for pre-loved clothing.
If you are a student in Los Angeles, make sure to ask for student discounts at eateries, departmental stores, and shopping centres. Often, your college identification card will get you benefits like discounted transportation, or concession at your favourite store.
Download mobile applications of popular fast-food joints and sign up for their loyalty programme to avail of deals and discounts throughout the year.

Cost of Living in Los Angeles vs Other Metro Cities

The cost of living in Los Angeles is higher than in Phoenix, Arizona; however, it is cheaper than in New York City. Transportation in the city is among the highest in the country. Nonetheless, utilities for residential spaces are cheaper than in Phoenix and New York City.

Look at the table below to understand it further:

Area of Expense	Los Angeles ($)	New York City ($)	Chicago ($)	Phoenix ($)
Accommodation	2,200 - 4.250	3,100 - 6,400	1,500 - 4,600	1,380 - 2,700
Utilities	250 - 350	200 - 400	165 - 250	250 - 400
Groceries	300 - 450	200 - 300	200 - 250	180 - 250
Transportation	100 - 150	50 - 150	75 - 100	62 - 80
Dining Out	70 - 120	50 - 150	50 - 150	50 - 100
Entertainment	100 - 200	100 - 200	15 - 100	50 - 80
Education	1,100 - 5,700	1,600 - 4,000	2,475 - 5,000	1,100 - 2,550
Healthcare	75 - 200	50 - 250	75 - 200	70 - 200
Overall Cost	4,195 - 11,450	5,350 - 11.900	4,200 - 11,000	3,100 - 6,400
Overall Verdict	Very High	Very High	High	Moderate

Important Things to Know Before Moving to Los Angeles

Here are some things to take into consideration before moving to Los Angeles.

Job Market and Economy

It is relatively easy to find jobs in the city. However, it is tricky to find a job that supports your lifestyle. Los Angeles has many industries, which you should adequately research before moving there.

Climate and Weather

Los Angeles is known for its beautiful and sunny weather throughout the year. Summers are pleasant, while winters are sunny and cool, with an occasional spell of rain.

Accommodation Options

The city offers a wide range of accommodation, from mobile homes to townhouses and mansions. Your lifestyle, personal preference, and people in your household will determine the kind of accommodation you opt for.

Transportation Challenges

Public transportation is almost non-existent in Los Angeles. Your best bet would be to purchase a car or two-wheeler. However, you may also opt for Uber service, which is affordable and convenient. Traffic in Los Angeles is quite heavy during rush hour. Keep that in mind while choosing your place of residence.

Language and Communication

Most people in Los Angeles primarily speak English. The city is a melting pot of cultures. Hence, you can also expect people of particular neighbourhoods to speak Spanish or some Asian languages.

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FAQs about Cost of Living in Los Angeles

All

How much is the monthly expense for 1 person in Los Angeles?

You can expect to spend around $2,000 - $2,500 each month in Los Angeles. Your monthly expenditure would depend on your accommodation, lifestyle choices, and modes of transportation.

How much money do you need to make per hour in Los Angeles to live comfortably?

If you are a bachelor living in Los Angeles, earning $24 and upwards each hour would ensure that you have a comfortable lifestyle.

How much does an international student need each month to live in Los Angeles?

As an international student in Los Angeles, you will need a minimum of $1,350 each month, excluding rent and tuition fees.

Is Los Angeles an expensive city?

According to CBS News, Los Angeles is one of the most expensive cities in the world. It ranks ninth on the list of the most expensive cities worldwide.

How much is the rate of a babysitter in Los Angeles?

The starting rate for babysitters in Los Angeles is $23.26 per hour.

What are the monthly expenses in Los Angeles?

Monthly expenses largely depend on your expenses, rent, groceries, utilities, and transportation costs. You should also keep aside some money each month for emergency purposes or individual requirements.

What is the average salary in Los Angeles?

The average gross salary in Los Angeles is $87,500 annually. However, many jobs offer a higher salary based on education and experience.

Is rent higher in Los Angeles?

Yes, rent in Los Angeles is higher than other cities in the USA. Statistically the rent is 38% higher than the national average rent.

Is Los Angeles a safe place to live?

Yes, Los Angeles is quite safe for bachelors, young women, and families alike. Personal safety should be your priority; kindly research neighbourhoods and localities before moving to Los Angeles.

What are the modes of public transportation available in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is well-connected by buses, trains, and subways. There are a total of 101 stations connected by six lines via metro. You should evaluate the connectivity from your residence to your place of work when deciding about your move to Los Angeles.

What is the average rent cost in Los Angeles?

Rent in Los Angeles on average ranges from $1,500 - $3,000. You should choose the apartment perfect for your family’s needs and occupational needs.

How much money do you need to live comfortably in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is one of the most expensive cities in the nation. A person living alone in the city would need around $1,400 each month, excluding rent, to live comfortably. The expenses for a family of four would be around $4,900 each month, excluding rent.

Is $70,000 enough for one person living in Los Angeles?

If you are a single person making $70,000, you are considered low-income. The cost of living in Los Angeles is relatively high, and an income of $70,000 per annum will require some budgeting.

Is Los Angeles expensive to rent?

Yes, rent is pricey in Los Angeles. It is one of the highest in the country. Rent in Los Angeles starts from $2,000, which is significantly higher than the US national average of $1,500.

How can you live in Los Angeles for cheap?

Although accommodation costs are quite steep in the city, some neighbourhoods are cheaper than others. Neighborhoods like Koreatown, Westlake, and Valley Glen offer affordable housing. You can also look for shared apartments to cut down on living expenses.

I frequently travel to Los Angeles for business. How can I manage the cost of living there?

Frequent short business trips to Los Angeles can become costly due to high hotel rates, dining expenses, and unpredictable traffic-related delays. In addition to budgeting wisely, having travel insurance can help offset financial losses from flight cancellations or health issues. It offers you flexibility and protection while navigating an expensive city without letting disruptions impact your plans or pocket.