Quick answer
Seattle is 54% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. A $100K salary in Los Angeles is equivalent to $46,000 in Seattle.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Los Angeles vs Seattle Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Seattle is 54% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-13% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$46,000
Los Angeles vs Seattle: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,400/mo
$2,100/mo
-13%
2BR median rent
$3,200/mo
$2,750/mo
-14%
Median home price
$850K
$780K
-8%
Avg monthly groceries
$440
$430
-2%
Avg monthly utilities
$140
$130
-7%
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
None
Seattle saves
Walk score
68/100
74/100
Seattle better
Transit score
53/100
59/100
Seattle better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Seattle to maintain the same standard of living as your current Los Angeles salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$27,000
$131,000
$80,000
$37,000
$175,000
$100,000
$46,000
$218,000
$120,000
$55,000
$262,000
$150,000
$69,000
$328,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Los Angeles vs Seattle
Who Each City Is Best For
Los Angeles is best for
- ✓entertainment industry workers
- ✓creatives
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓entrepreneurs
Seattle is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓high earners
- ✓coffee aficionados
FAQs
Is Los Angeles or Seattle cheaper to live in?
Seattle is 54% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. Seattle 1BR rent ($2,100/mo) vs Los Angeles ($2,400/mo). Median home price: Seattle $780K vs Los Angeles $850K.
How much salary do I need in Seattle to match $100K in Los Angeles?
$46,000 in Seattle is equivalent to $100,000 in Los Angeles based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-13% difference) and state taxes (Los Angeles: Up to 13.3% vs Seattle: None).
What is the rent difference between Los Angeles and Seattle?
1BR: Los Angeles $2,400/mo vs Seattle $2,100/mo (-13%). 2BR: Los Angeles $3,200/mo vs Seattle $2,750/mo (-14%).
Does Los Angeles or Seattle have lower taxes?
Los Angeles (CA) has Up to 13.3% state income tax. Seattle (WA) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$13,300.