Los Angeles is known for a lot of things. In the city, you’ll find plenty of skyscrapers, palm tree-lined streets, and plenty of reminders that you’re in the epicenter of the film and television industries. Los Angeles is home to the iconic Hollywood sign, hipster bars, and of course, plenty of Beverly Hills mansions. The city is also well known for its high cost of living.
If you’re considering moving to L.A., the cost of living is likely one of your biggest worries. Can you afford the high expenses that come with becoming an L.A. resident? Keep reading to learn detailed information about the cost of living in L.A., including rent, utilities, groceries, and more.
Rent
As you'd expect, it's not cheap to rent or buy in Los Angeles. In fact, the average rent for a one bedroom apartment is nearly twice the national average rent. One bedroom apartments go for $1,949 a month which is highly expensive, especially when compared to the national average at $977.
If you need a two bedroom apartment, you can expect to pay around $2,846. Compare that cost to the national average of $1,196 and you'll see just how expensive the city can really be. The good news is that rental prices vary, depending on where you choose to live in L.A. Fancier neighborhoods like Beverly Hills, Trousdale, and Malibu Cove will always cost a fortune to live in.
However, there are also many respectable and inexpensive areas around Los Angeles. Some of the lowest cost neighborhoods include:
- Tarzana
- Westchester
- Palms
- Playa Vista
- Silver Lake
In these suburbs, you can find rent for hundreds of dollars less than the L.A. average. So, if your dream is to live in L.A. without the high price tag, you can definitely do so! The key is to know which areas provide the most bang for your buck.
Utilities
Once you know where you can afford to live in L.A., the next expense to factor in is utilities. Obviously, you can’t live without water, heat, and electricity, so these are costs you’ll need to pencil into your budget.
For a 915 square foot apartment in Los Angeles, you can expect to pay around $110 a month for utilities. This cost is well below the average utility costs in other large cities such as New York and Chicago.
Cable and internet costs are also relatively affordable, ranging from $50-$100 a month. To ensure you’re getting a good deal on home entertainment services, take the time to compare the best internet providers in Los Angeles on sites like Digital Exits. This way you can receive any applicable discounts and promotions to lower your monthly costs.
Food & Groceries
One of the best parts of L.A. is the food scene. You can find all sorts of food trucks and farm-to-table cuisine. At L.A. restaurants, you can expect to pay around $56 for an upscale two-person meal. This is $11 above the national average, but you can at least count on delicious food.
For those nights you cook at home, you'll find that many produce items are cheaper in L.A. including apples, tomatoes, potatoes, and oranges. You can also find wine at a decent price thanks to the many local vineyards!
Other Cost of Living Expenses
Aside from housing costs, utilities, and groceries, there are other expenses that you’ll need to factor in when determining your overall cost of living in L.A.
Transportation
When you think of getting around L.A., one of the first things to come to mind is probably traffic. Cars and cities rarely work well together but L.A. seems to have one of the worst cases of congestion. In fact, in 2017, motorists spent an average of 102 hours battling traffic during rush hour.
Not only is traffic frustrating, but it's also expensive. Gas prices in L.A. aren't cheap, averaging around $3.82. Just a few months ago, prices topped $4! Aside from gas costs, you'll also need to factor in insurance and yearly fees like license plate renewal.
Thankfully you don't need to have a car to get around L.A. The city offers the L.A. Metro, which you can ride for 30 days for $100. A one-day pass costs $1.75. For some, these expenses are much less than owning a car.
Healthcare
Trips to the doctor can be expensive in many cities. In L.A. you can expect to pay around $121 for a routine check-up with a primary care physician. This average cost is well below costs in other California cities including San Francisco and Sacramento, both of which have healthcare costs above $200.
Conclusion
Understanding the cost of living in L.A. makes it much less of a sticker shock when you move to the city. Keep these expenses in mind when deciding where to live in L.A. on a budget that doesn’t leave you strapped for cash.
