A detailed side-by-side comparison of the cost of living, housing prices, income levels, and overall affordability between Boston, MA and Los Angeles, CA.
MA
Population: 654,776
CA
Population: 3,820,914
National average = 100. Higher values indicate a more expensive area.
| Metric | Boston, MA | Los Angeles, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 170 | -8.8% |
| Median Home Price | $650,000 | $850,000 | -23.5% |
| Property Tax Rate | 1.04% | 0.76% | +36.8% |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $75,902 | +7.7% |
| Population | 654,776 | 3,820,914 | -82.9% |
Boston, MA is 8.8% cheaper to live in than Los Angeles, CA, based on the overall cost of living index.
Home Price Difference
$200,000
Boston, MA is cheaper by 23.5%
Income Difference
$5,842
Boston, MA earns more by 7.7%
Price-to-income ratio: median home price divided by median household income. A lower ratio indicates more affordable housing.
Boston, MA
8.0x
$650,000 / $81,744
Los Angeles, CA
11.2x
$850,000 / $75,902
Overall, Boston, MA is the more affordable city to live in. With a cost of living index of 155 compared to 170, a median home price of $650,000, and a price-to-income ratio of 8.0x, Boston, MA offers better value for residents looking to stretch their dollar further. However, the median household income in Boston, MA ($81,744) is higher, which may offset some of the cost differences.