Los Angeles vs Miami
Cost of Living (2026)

Miami is 25% more affordable than Los Angeles. Plus, Florida has no state income tax vs California's 9.3%.

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At a glance

Los Angeles, CA

COL index163
State income tax9.3%
Avg 1BR rent$2,600/mo
Median home price$850K
VS

Miami, FL

COL index123 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$2,300/mo ✓
Median home price$600K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryLos Angeles indexMiami indexDifference
Housing215161 ✓-54%
Groceries153116 ✓-37%
Transportation151116 ✓-35%
Healthcare157119 ✓-38%
Utilities145114 ✓-31%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: Los Angeles → Miami

What salary in Miami gives you the same purchasing power as your Los Angeles salary?

Salary in Los AngelesEquivalent in MiamiDifference
$60,000$39,000$-21,000
$80,000$52,000$-28,000
$100,000$65,000$-35,000
$130,000$85,000$-45,000
$150,000$98,000$-52,000
$200,000$131,000$-69,000

Los Angeles vs Miami: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Los Angeles, CA and Miami, FL, Miami comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 123 versus 163 for Los Angeles — a difference of approximately 25%.

State income tax impact

Florida has no state income tax, giving Miami workers an immediate 9.3% take-home pay advantage over Los Angeles workers who pay California's 9.3% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in Los Angeles is $850,000, compared to $600,000 in Miami. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,600/month in Los Angeles versus $2,300/month in Miami.

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