Seattle, WA vs Los Angeles, CA Cost of Living (2026)

Seattle has a cost of living index of 144.5, about 44.5% above the national average. Housing is a major driver here, with a housing index of 203.6. Typical apartment rent is about $2,970 a month, and median home values are around $1,119,686. The median household income is approximately $94,000.

A $100,000 salary in an average-cost city buys about $69,200 worth of lifestyle in Seattle. That usually means smaller apartments, tighter savings margins, or a longer commute if you want to keep housing costs in check. Outside housing, transportation and miscellaneous costs also run above the national baseline.

Transportation in Seattle is moderately expensive. The city has expanded its light rail network significantly, and residents in neighborhoods along the Link Light Rail corridor can live without a car. That said, most parts of the metro area still require one, and traffic on key corridors like I-5 and I-90 is among the worst in the country during peak hours. Groceries run about 15% above the national average, and healthcare costs are also slightly elevated.

One practical cost consideration: Seattle's rental market has softened from its 2021 peak but remains tight. New apartment construction has added supply, which has moderated prices slightly in some neighborhoods, particularly those farther from downtown. Renters who are flexible on neighborhood and willing to live a few miles from the city center can find meaningfully better value than those who focus on Capitol Hill, South Lake Union, or Belltown.

Los Angeles has a cost of living index of 152.3, about 52.3% above the national average. Housing is a major driver here, with a housing index of 235.4. Typical apartment rent is about $3,016 a month, and median home values are around $1,350,980. The median household income is approximately $74,000. This page uses the broader Los Angeles-Long Beach market data.

A $100,000 salary in an average-cost city buys about $65,700 worth of lifestyle in Los Angeles. That usually means smaller apartments, tighter savings margins, or a longer commute if you want to keep housing costs in check. Outside housing, transportation and miscellaneous costs also run above the national baseline.

Transportation in Los Angeles is an unavoidable cost. The metro area's public transit has improved but still leaves most residents dependent on a car for daily life. Average car insurance rates in California are among the highest in the nation, and LA's traffic means that commutes consume significant time, which affects how people weigh salary offers against work location. Groceries and dining run about 15 to 20% above the national average.

California's income tax adds another layer to salary planning. The state has a progressive tax structure with rates reaching 13.3% for the highest earners. For someone earning $100,000 single filing, the marginal state rate is 9.3%. Combined with federal and FICA taxes, take-home pay in LA ends up meaningfully lower than gross salary comparisons suggest, especially for workers moving from no-income-tax states like Texas or Nevada.