Los Angeles vs Seattle
Cost of Living (2026)

Seattle is 8% more affordable than Los Angeles. Plus, Washington 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

Seattle, WA

COL index150 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$2,200/mo ✓
Median home price$780K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryLos Angeles indexSeattle indexDifference
Housing215198 ✓-17%
Groceries153141 ✓-12%
Transportation151140 ✓-11%
Healthcare157145 ✓-12%
Utilities145135 ✓-10%

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

Salary equivalency: Los Angeles → Seattle

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

Salary in Los AngelesEquivalent in SeattleDifference
$60,000$48,000$-12,000
$80,000$64,000$-16,000
$100,000$80,000$-20,000
$130,000$104,000$-26,000
$150,000$120,000$-30,000
$200,000$160,000$-40,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Los Angeles, CA and Seattle, WA, Seattle comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 150 versus 163 for Los Angeles — a difference of approximately 8%.

State income tax impact

Washington has no state income tax, giving Seattle 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 $780,000 in Seattle. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,600/month in Los Angeles versus $2,200/month in Seattle.

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