Los Angeles, United States

Cost of Living in Los Angeles, United States

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Los Angeles costs approximately $3,660 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $2,675. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Los Angeles is a city in United States, where a single person can expect to spend about $3,660 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $2,675 per month, or $2,261 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 303 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Los Angeles scores 40/100 — below average on safety for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 90°F and winter highs around 61°F, with roughly 339 sunny days a year.

Top for SurfTop for VegetarianTop for Sports EventsTop for Live MusicTop for Rooftop BarTop for Art SceneLGBTQ+ friendlyFamily friendlySafe tap waterMajor airport hub
Monthly Cost$3,660≈ $122/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$2,675
Internet303 Mbps
Safety40/100
Avg Temp76°F

Los Angeles Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$25
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$100
McDonald's Combo Meal$13
Cappuccino$6.16
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$8.25
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$2.53

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.34
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$4.49
Eggs (12)$7.42
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$7.73
Apples (1 lb)$2.59
Bananas (1 lb)$1.20
Tomatoes (1 lb)$2.19
Potatoes (1 lb)$1.43
Water (1.5L Bottle)$2.32
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$15
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$12

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$2
Monthly Transit Pass$105
Taxi Start$3.10
Taxi (1 Mile)$2.98
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.27
VW Golf (New)$36,753.89

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$226.61
Mobile Phone Plan$63.38
Broadband Internet$72.77

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$52.36
Cinema Ticket$18
Preschool (Monthly)$1,730.88
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$28,135.62

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$70.23
Nike Running Shoes$116.53

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$2,675
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$2,260.90
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$5,557.76
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$3,961.63
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$739.90
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$664.62

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$4,299.25
Mortgage Interest Rate6.98%
Family of 4 (Monthly, excl. rent)$5,094.80
Single Person (Monthly, excl. rent)$1,398.80

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Los Angeles

Internet303 Mbps
Safety40/100
Healthcare62/100
Public Transit53/100
Walkability69/100
Nightlife52/100
Food Scene88/100
Fine Dining58/100
Coffee Culture85/100
Air Quality72/100
Green Spaces65/100
Culture80/100
Beaches82/100
Hiking72/100
Surfing80/100
Coworking Spaces150

Neighborhoods in Los Angeles

Silver Lake · Venice · Echo Park · Santa Monica · Highland Park

Los Angeles FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Los Angeles?

A single person should budget around $3,660 per month in Los Angeles, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $5,095 per month.

How much is rent in Los Angeles?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Los Angeles averages $2,675 per month, dropping to about $2,261 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $5,558.

Is Los Angeles safe?

Los Angeles scores 40/100 on safety, which is below average on safety. Tourist safety is rated 55/100.

How fast is the internet in Los Angeles?

Median download speeds in Los Angeles are around 303 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 150 coworking spaces in the city.

Does United States offer a digital nomad visa?

United States does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders should check current entry requirements before traveling.

What is the weather like in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles sees summer highs around 90°F and winter highs near 61°F, with about 339 sunny days and 57 rainy days per year.

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