Los Angeles, CA vs Washington, DC
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
On the headline indicators, Los Angeles and Washington are closely matched markets (homes within 18% of each other). Distinguishing the two usually requires looking past the cost averages — at the tax structure, commute patterns, and individual neighborhood differences.
Median Home Value
$879,500
$724,600 ✓
Zillow Home Value
$941,985
$574,016
Median Gross Rent
$1,879/mo ✓
$1,900/mo
Owner Occupied %
36.3%
41.1%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
39.0x
31.8x
Median Household Income
$80,366
$106,287 ✓
Per Capita Income
$46,270
$75,253
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
6.5% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.6%
14.5%
Avg Commute (min)
34.1 min
33.0 min
Drove Alone %
61.4%
28.1%
Public Transit %
6.7%
22.3%
Work From Home %
17.3%
29.4%
State Income Tax
13.3%
10.8%
Total Sales Tax
8.7%
6.0% ✓
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
0.6%
Bachelor's Degree %
24.5%
26.1%
Median Age
36.9
34.9
Avg High Temp
70.4°F
67.8°F
Annual Precipitation
13.4"
41.8"
Annual Snowfall
—
13.7"
Los Angeles, CA 1 wins
- ✓Median Gross Rent
Washington, DC 4 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Median Household Income
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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