Philadelphia, PA vs Los Angeles, CA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Los Angeles, CA is 10.7% more expensive than Philadelphia, PA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Philadelphia works out to about $83,100 in Los Angeles, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 50.6% more in Los Angeles. Goods are 10.1% higher and other services 1.3% higher.
- Utility prices (electricity, gas, water) are 38.6% higher in Los Angeles.
- Typical asking rent is $2,929 a month in Los Angeles and $1,903 in Philadelphia, $12,312 a year more in Los Angeles (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $950,000 in Los Angeles and $386,000 in Philadelphia.
- The gap has widened since 2019, when Los Angeles was 7.0% more expensive than Philadelphia.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 50.6% higher in Los Angeles than in Philadelphia
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Philadelphia, PA
- Los Angeles, CA
All items Philadelphia, PA: 102.6 Los Angeles, CA: 113.6
Goods Philadelphia, PA: 96.8 Los Angeles, CA: 106.6
Housing (rents) Philadelphia, PA: 113.1 Los Angeles, CA: 170.4
Utilities Philadelphia, PA: 114.4 Los Angeles, CA: 158.6
Other services Philadelphia, PA: 103.1 Los Angeles, CA: 104.4
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Philadelphia, PA | Los Angeles, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 102.6 | 113.6 |
| Goods | 96.8 | 106.6 |
| Housing (rents) | 113.1 | 170.4 |
| Utilities | 114.4 | 158.6 |
| Other services | 103.1 | 104.4 |
| Category | Philadelphia | Los Angeles | Los Angeles vs Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 102.6 | 113.6 | +10.7% |
| Goods | 96.8 | 106.6 | +10.1% |
| Housing (rents) | 113.1 | 170.4 | +50.6% |
| Utilities | 114.4 | 158.6 | +38.6% |
| Other services | 103.1 | 104.4 | +1.3% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,903 | $2,929 | +53.9% |
| Typical home value | $386,000 | $950,000 | +146.1% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Philadelphia | $75,000 | $83,100 | +10.7% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Philadelphia and Los Angeles has widened since 2008: 6.9 points then, 11.0 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Philadelphia, PA
- Los Angeles, CA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Philadelphia, PA | Los Angeles, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 106.4 | 113.3 |
| 2009 | 107.6 | 112.2 |
| 2010 | 106.3 | 112.5 |
| 2011 | 105.3 | 111.5 |
| 2012 | 103.9 | 112.1 |
| 2013 | 101.8 | 112.4 |
| 2014 | 102.4 | 112.2 |
| 2015 | 102.2 | 113.3 |
| 2016 | 102.5 | 111.3 |
| 2017 | 104.0 | 110.2 |
| 2018 | 103.2 | 111.0 |
| 2019 | 103.7 | 110.9 |
| 2020 | 102.3 | 113.9 |
| 2021 | 99.0 | 114.2 |
| 2022 | 100.7 | 113.3 |
| 2023 | 102.4 | 114.7 |
| 2024 | 102.6 | 113.6 |
Goods
- Philadelphia, PA
- Los Angeles, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Philadelphia, PA | Los Angeles, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 108.5 | 108.0 |
| 2009 | 107.4 | 103.1 |
| 2010 | 104.1 | 104.0 |
| 2011 | 106.3 | 105.1 |
| 2012 | 103.0 | 104.4 |
| 2013 | 98.6 | 104.4 |
| 2014 | 97.7 | 106.2 |
| 2015 | 100.6 | 108.1 |
| 2016 | 102.6 | 107.8 |
| 2017 | 99.2 | 102.5 |
| 2018 | 98.4 | 103.6 |
| 2019 | 96.6 | 105.9 |
| 2020 | 94.6 | 106.5 |
| 2021 | 94.3 | 108.9 |
| 2022 | 95.2 | 106.5 |
| 2023 | 98.2 | 107.1 |
| 2024 | 96.8 | 106.6 |
Housing (rents)
- Philadelphia, PA
- Los Angeles, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Philadelphia, PA | Los Angeles, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 116.1 | 183.8 |
| 2009 | 120.6 | 183.2 |
| 2010 | 119.1 | 180.0 |
| 2011 | 120.0 | 178.3 |
| 2012 | 119.5 | 178.4 |
| 2013 | 118.0 | 176.7 |
| 2014 | 119.3 | 178.5 |
| 2015 | 117.8 | 177.2 |
| 2016 | 117.4 | 178.5 |
| 2017 | 117.5 | 178.4 |
| 2018 | 117.5 | 180.5 |
| 2019 | 113.3 | 183.4 |
| 2020 | 115.2 | 183.6 |
| 2021 | 114.7 | 181.5 |
| 2022 | 115.8 | 176.9 |
| 2023 | 117.8 | 173.0 |
| 2024 | 113.1 | 170.4 |
Utilities
- Philadelphia, PA
- Los Angeles, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Philadelphia, PA | Los Angeles, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 108.6 | 118.2 |
| 2009 | 113.9 | 119.5 |
| 2010 | 117.3 | 119.3 |
| 2011 | 121.3 | 114.5 |
| 2012 | 120.2 | 116.2 |
| 2013 | 120.0 | 117.9 |
| 2014 | 105.8 | 127.7 |
| 2015 | 102.4 | 125.1 |
| 2016 | 102.6 | 125.2 |
| 2017 | 104.8 | 127.1 |
| 2018 | 106.4 | 107.9 |
| 2019 | 108.6 | 112.9 |
| 2020 | 106.1 | 117.6 |
| 2021 | 101.1 | 132.3 |
| 2022 | 108.1 | 149.1 |
| 2023 | 119.4 | 140.7 |
| 2024 | 114.4 | 158.6 |
Other services
- Philadelphia, PA
- Los Angeles, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Philadelphia, PA | Los Angeles, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 102.5 | 101.9 |
| 2009 | 104.0 | 102.0 |
| 2010 | 103.9 | 102.5 |
| 2011 | 100.4 | 101.1 |
| 2012 | 99.9 | 102.6 |
| 2013 | 99.2 | 103.2 |
| 2014 | 101.2 | 101.8 |
| 2015 | 99.4 | 103.0 |
| 2016 | 99.0 | 99.9 |
| 2017 | 103.7 | 100.8 |
| 2018 | 102.5 | 101.8 |
| 2019 | 105.5 | 100.0 |
| 2020 | 104.0 | 102.7 |
| 2021 | 98.3 | 102.9 |
| 2022 | 100.5 | 103.7 |
| 2023 | 100.6 | 106.1 |
| 2024 | 103.1 | 104.4 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $2,929 in Los Angeles vs $1,903 in Philadelphia
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Philadelphia, PA
- Los Angeles, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Philadelphia, PA | Los Angeles, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,200 | $1,768 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,215 | $1,809 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,217 | $1,843 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,209 | $1,858 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,228 | $1,888 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,251 | $1,925 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,248 | $1,948 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,249 | $1,955 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,271 | $2,007 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,286 | $2,042 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,286 | $2,062 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,287 | $2,071 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,309 | $2,104 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,331 | $2,132 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,328 | $2,155 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,334 | $2,171 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,359 | $2,190 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,385 | $2,222 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,384 | $2,239 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,384 | $2,246 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,412 | $2,260 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,420 | $2,236 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,424 | $2,236 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,425 | $2,238 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,451 | $2,275 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,508 | $2,338 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,549 | $2,468 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,580 | $2,523 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,615 | $2,591 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,658 | $2,668 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,672 | $2,706 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,661 | $2,689 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,683 | $2,706 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,711 | $2,733 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,726 | $2,759 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,722 | $2,742 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,743 | $2,766 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,773 | $2,796 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,782 | $2,819 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,789 | $2,805 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,805 | $2,865 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,824 | $2,871 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,842 | $2,878 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,844 | $2,866 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,864 | $2,890 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,889 | $2,916 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,903 | $2,929 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $950,000 in Los Angeles vs $386,000 in Philadelphia
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Philadelphia, PA
- Los Angeles, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Philadelphia, PA | Los Angeles, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $208K | $507K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $209K | $509K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $212K | $505K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $214K | $495K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $215K | $518K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $217K | $538K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $219K | $528K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $222K | $524K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $224K | $557K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $227K | $578K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $228K | $579K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $232K | $591K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $235K | $613K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $237K | $627K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $238K | $644K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $240K | $660K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $243K | $643K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $246K | $635K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $247K | $645K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $250K | $664K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $256K | $669K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $260K | $666K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $263K | $682K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $275K | $723K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $287K | $741K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $298K | $769K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $302K | $797K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $303K | $822K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $316K | $864K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $330K | $897K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $331K | $890K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $331K | $878K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $332K | $849K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $340K | $858K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $347K | $896K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $352K | $922K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $357K | $918K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $363K | $931K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $365K | $947K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $368K | $961K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $371K | $954K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $374K | $941K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $377K | $938K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $379K | $948K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $381K | $951K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $383K | $947K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $386K | $950K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Philadelphia, PA
- Cost of living in Los Angeles, CA
- Reverse: moving from Los Angeles to Philadelphia
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.