Los Angeles, CA vs Seattle, WA
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
The two cities sit at similar cost levels but quite different income tiers — Seattle households earn $121,984 at the median versus $80,366 in Los Angeles, a 34% gap that translates directly to spending power. Seattle also has no state income tax, while the other state tops out at 13.3% — a meaningful annual difference at higher income levels.
Median Home Value
$879,500 ✓
$912,100
Zillow Home Value
$941,985
$848,869
Median Gross Rent
$1,879/mo ✓
$1,998/mo
Owner Occupied %
36.3%
44.3%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
39.0x
38.0x
Median Household Income
$80,366
$121,984 ✓
Per Capita Income
$46,270
$82,508
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
4.2% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.6%
9.9%
Avg Commute (min)
34.1 min
28.9 min
Drove Alone %
61.4%
37.6%
Public Transit %
6.7%
13.9%
Work From Home %
17.3%
31.3%
State Income Tax
13.3%
None
Total Sales Tax
8.7% ✓
9.2%
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
1.0%
Bachelor's Degree %
24.5%
37.6%
Median Age
36.9
35.5
Avg High Temp
70.4°F
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
13.4"
37.8"
Annual Snowfall
—
3.8"
Los Angeles, CA 3 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
- ✓Total Sales Tax
Seattle, WA 2 wins
- ✓Median Household Income
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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