Los Angeles is also ideal for those working in the entertainment industry or tech sector and who value having more space and a car-friendly environment.
Meanwhile, NYC offers the experience of all four seasons and is known for its diversity, cultural richness, and world-class amenities.
Ultimately, both cities have their unique advantages and appeal, so whether you choose LA or NYC will depend on what aspects of city living are most important to you. Keep on reading to find out more.
Table of Contents
LA vs. NYC Real Estate Prices
LA vs. NYC Cost of Living
LA vs. NYC Weather
LA vs. NYC Transportation
LA vs. NYC Job Market
LA vs. NYC Lifestyle
LA vs. NYC Crime Rates
LA vs. NYC Overall Winner
LA vs. NYC Living Comparison
LA vs. NYC Bottom Line
LA vs. NYC FAQs
LA vs. NYC Real Estate Prices
The biggest factor to consider these days is the price of real estate, and for good reason. Both cities are notoriously expensive, but living in LA vs. NYC means you'll save a significant amount on your home.
The average price of a house in NYC is around $1 million, while in Los Angeles, it's about $660,000. Although both prices are high by national standards, it's clear that buying a home in the Big Apple is much more challenging.
Verdict: Los Angeles real estate is cheaper than NYC.
LA vs. NYC Cost of Living
Although both cities are expensive compared to the national average, the cost of living in LA is lower than in NYC. The cost-of-living index for New York is 100, while the COLI for Los Angeles is 84.8. That indicates LA is about 15.2% less expensive than NYC. Rent prices, in particular, are 23.2% cheaper in LA than in New York City.
The purchasing power of LA residents is 32.5% higher as well. It would take $10,000 to maintain the same standard of living in New York as a person with $7,683.3 in Los Angeles.
Many NYC residents also have a higher tax burder due to the New York City income tax.
Verdict: Los Angeles is cheaper than New York City.
LA vs. NYC Weather
New York City experiences all four seasons, ranging from bitter cold to sweltering heat. This makes it a great place for those who enjoy experiencing snow, sun, and the transitions of spring and fall. While NYC has its share of inclement weather, wildfires and earthquakes are not concerns here.
Los Angeles, on the other hand, is famous for its perfect Mediterranean climate. It's almost always sunny, with little temperature fluctuation, making it one of the best cities in the US for year-round weather. However, LA is prone to earthquakes and wildfires, which are significant tradeoffs for its otherwise excellent weather
Verdict: Los Angeles takes this hands down. It's hard to beat the incredible LA climate.
LA vs. NYC Transportation
In New York City, public transit and walking is a way of life. You can get to almost any point in the city without a need to drive. That’s why many people in town don’t have (or want) a car. If you’re athletic and love a good stroll, it’s a great thing to have.
Los Angeles is a driver’s city. Everyone will have a car here, even if they only need to drive a couple of blocks over. The city is known for heavy traffic, but if you are willing to deal with it, it’s a cruisin’ dream.
Verdict: NYC wins when it comes to public transport, but if you love cars, go to LA. If you prefer walking, go to NYC.
LA vs. NYC Job Market
When it comes to the vast majority of glitzy, high-paying jobs, you’ll find that they’re centered around each coast. East Coast jobs are mainly in finance, West Coast jobs tend to be in entertainment. But, things are changing and now we’re seeing a lot more people traveling from coast to coast.
In terms of salaries, NYC has more high-paying jobs, but the cost of living is much higher compared to LA.
Verdict: It depends on your situation, but NYC jobs tend to pay better. However, industry matters a lot as well. If you're in tech LA might be better, while if you're an investment banker, NYC would be the logical choice.
LA vs. NYC Lifestyle
Both LA and NYC are known for world-class entertainment scenes with hip nightclubs, great concerts, luxury living, and top-rated restaurants. There are definitely some noteworthy lifestyle and personality differences you’ll see between New York and Los Angeles.
New Yorkers are known for their work ethic and for being a little high-strung. They love their pizza, but they also are open to dinner and drinks after work. It’s a very Wall Street-style world with suits and ties being the status quo in most circles.
Los Angeles, on the other hand, has a strong entertainment industry vibe. This city is known for being more amenable to plastic surgery, focused on fitness, and having a strong “hippie” vibe. If you love spirituality and fitness, or simply prefer a more casual vibe, you might prefer LA.
Verdict: Think about which lifestyle you want to have before you choose between LA and NYC.
LA vs. NYC Crime Rates
Though New York City used to be known for having a decent amount of crime, the actual statistics paint a different story. Crime in the city has been on a downward trend since the 90s, and NYC is now considered one of the safest cities of its size. It should be noted that in recent years crime has slightly risen, mostly due to the overall incompetence of mayor de Blasio and his administration.
Los Angeles, on the other hand, has a crime problem. The city has a higher murder rate than New York, and also reports higher rates of robberies, vandalism, and assaults. With that said, LAPD has been working hard at clamping down on crime.
If you want to learn more about areas to avoid in LA, check out our report on the most dangerous Los Angeles neighborhoods.
Verdict: New York is safer and will only get safer now that Bill de Blasio is out of office.
LA vs. NYC Overall Winner
When comparing NYC vs LA, the overall winner is New York City due to its stronger job market, lower crime rates, and better amenities. New York simply offers more than Los Angeles, so for the majority of people, it's a better place to advance their careers and enjoy life in a world-class city.
However, if a better climate and lower real estate prices are a major concern for you, LA might be the better choice.
Los Angeles scores highly on the quality-of-life index, with local purchasing power, cost of living, and property price-to-income ratio being better in LA than in New York. Ultimately, the quality of life in both LA and NYC is high, and your personal priorities will help you decide which city is right for you.
LA vs. NYC Living Comparison
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Living in LA vs. NYC Bottom Line
Choosing between Los Angeles and New York City depends on what you value most. LA has cheaper real estate, a lower cost of living, and great weather, making it perfect for those who enjoy a relaxed, sunny lifestyle and work in entertainment or tech. NYC offers a faster pace, better public transportation, and higher-paying jobs in finance and business, ideal for those who thrive in a busy, diverse environment and love experiencing all four seasons. Both cities have their pros and cons, so think about what matters most to you when deciding where to live
Los Angeles vs. New York FAQs
1. Do more celebrities live in LA or New York?
Since LA is home to Hollywood it's no surprise that most celebrities live in LA and California, although there are also plenty of celebrities that live in NYC. Also, many celebs own homes in both cities.
2. Is LA or NYC traffic worse?
While NYC traffic is bad, LA traffic is even worse. Los Angeles is known for having some of the worst traffic jams in the US, so be prepared to sit in traffic during rush hour.
3. Is NYC cleaner than LA?
Both NYC and LA are massive cities, and neither is particularly clean, but NYC isn't as clean as LA when it comes to street trash. While LA has cleaner streets than NYC, the air quality is worse as there's more pollution in the area.
4. Is LA more expensive than NYC?
Overall, LA is about 24% less expensive than NYC. The cost of living in LA is lower than in NYC thanks to far lower housing prices. On average, housing in LA is 34% cheaper than in New York City. Additionally, prices for groceries, as well as restaurant prices, are lower in Los Angeles than in NYC.
5. Is New York or LA more diverse?
New York City is more diverse than Los Angeles. There are over 600 different languages spoken in the NYC metropolitan area, making it an incredible melting pot of cultures.