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City Comparison

Los Angeles is 7% cheaper

The Verdict

Living in Los Angeles is 7% cheaper than Vancouver.
If you move from Los Angeles to Vancouver, you will pay more for housing and less for daily groceries. To maintain the same standard of life as a $75,000 salary in Los Angeles, you would need to earn about $81,176 in Vancouver.

Los Angeles Wins
2

of 6 categories

Tied
0

categories

Vancouver Wins
4

of 6 categories

Category Breakdown

Compare costs across 6 key categories

Overall Cost
85
Los Angeles
vs
92
Vancouver
Los Angeles is 7 pts cheaper
Rent
85
Los Angeles
vs
115
Vancouver
Los Angeles is 30 pts cheaper
Groceries
95
Los Angeles
vs
88
Vancouver
Vancouver is 7 pts cheaper
Restaurants
90
Los Angeles
vs
82
Vancouver
Vancouver is 8 pts cheaper
Transport
105
Los Angeles
vs
85
Vancouver
Vancouver is 20 pts cheaper
Utilities
90
Los Angeles
vs
78
Vancouver
Vancouver is 12 pts cheaper

City Profiles

What makes each city unique

Los AngelesUnited States
Los Angeles offers entertainment industry jobs and year-round sunshine at lower costs than SF or NYC.

Why people love Los Angeles:

Entertainment capitalGreat weatherDiverse economyBeach lifestyle
Population
3,979,576
Avg. Salary
$4,800/mo
VancouverCanada
Vancouver offers stunning nature with mild climate but expensive housing.

Why people love Vancouver:

Mountains & oceanMild climateFilm industryNature access
Population
631,486
Avg. Salary
$2,478/mo

Real Monthly Costs

Estimated costs based on NYC baseline prices

ExpenseLos AngelesVancouverSavings
1-bed apartment (city center)$2,975$4,025+$1,050
Monthly groceries$428$396$-32
Dining out (10 meals)$315$287$-28
Public transport pass$137$111$-26
Utilities (electric, heating, water)$180$156$-24
Total Monthly$4,034$4,975+$941

* Estimates based on NYC = 100 index. Actual costs vary by lifestyle and location within city.

Who Should Choose Which City?

Recommendations based on your priorities

Choose Los Angeles if you...
  • Want lower overall living costs (7% cheaper)
  • Are looking for more affordable housing
  • Prioritize safety (score: 65/100)
  • Want higher earning potential ($4,800/mo avg)
  • Have children (lower childcare costs)
Choose Vancouver if you...

    Quality of Life & Safety

    Beyond just costs - what matters for daily life

    Los Angeles
    74

    Quality of Life Score

    Los Angeles
    65

    Safety Score

    Salary Equivalence

    How much you'd need in Vancouver to match a Los Angeles salary

    Salary in Los AngelesEquivalent in VancouverDifference
    $50,000$54,118$4,118 more
    $75,000$81,176$6,176 more
    $100,000$108,235$8,235 more
    $125,000$135,294$10,294 more
    $150,000$162,353$12,353 more
    $200,000$216,471$16,471 more

    Los Angeles vs Vancouver: Summary

    The overall cost of living differs by 7%. Los Angeles is the more affordable option.

    Rent: Los Angeles has a rent index of 85, while Vancouver has 115.

    Average Salaries: Los Angeles: $4,800/month vs Vancouver: $2,478/month (both in USD).

    Out of 6 categories, Los Angeles wins 2, while Vancouver wins 4.

    Compare more cities or calculate your US take-home pay.