on $100k a year, leaving Chicago
changea dispatch from
los angeles
CA
34.05°N
118.24°W
Los Angeles is 88 cities pretending to be one, connected by freeways and a shared love of really good tacos. Every neighborhood is its own scene: surfers in Venice, the Korean grandmas of K-town, mountains rising behind Pasadena, Persian rugs in Westwood. The light at golden hour is so good it makes Instagram filters jealous. Roll the windows down at golden hour, put on a playlist, and let the city stretch out.
in our guides
the verdict
pricier each month than Chicago
Los Angeles doesn't pretend to be affordable. Move here for what Los Angeles is, not for what it leaves on your monthly ledger.
a quick ledger.
$2,899/mo
34% more expensive than Chicago(vs $2,170/mo)
9.3%
$363/mo more in state tax than Chicago
vs 4.95% in Chicago
$4,659/mo
$1,092 less than Chicago
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$1029k
182% more expensive than Chicago
vs $365k in Chicago
12.8M
vs 9.3M in Chicago
field notes, weather & such.
283
pleasant days a year, in los angeles.
Chicago only logs 153 pleasant days.
73% fewer events than Chicago. The pace eases up.
67/100
4% lower than Chicago
vs 70/100 in Chicago
Closest outdoor draw: Channel Islands National Park, 61.5 mi.
96/100
4% lower than Chicago
vs 100/100 in Chicago
150
31% fewer than Chicago
vs 217 nonstops in Chicago
cities that play in los angeles's register:
compare los angeles with:
