The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered. We are providing additional data around those topics that can be helpful to gauge your particular situation. The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make living cost comparisons easily and quickly.

The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered. We are providing additional data around those topics that can be helpful to gauge your particular situation. The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make living cost comparisons easily and quickly.

Cost of Living Comparison between Helena, MT vs Los Angeles, CA

Moving to Los Angeles, CA from Helena, MT with a salary of $60,000

Thinking about moving to another city? Here are two important questions and the numbers to you will need to answer those questions:

How much more or less will it cost to live in the new city?

Look at the percentage difference between the cost of living where you live now, and the cost of living in the new location.

How much more or less will pay for the same or similar job be in the new city?

Look at the percentage increase or reduction in your salary that you could expect if you were to move to that new location

Using these numbers, we calculated the net change in annual disposable income that a move to the new city will have on your wallet and lifestyle.

View Minimum Wage Values in Helena and Los Angeles Compared with the Cost of Living

Cost of Living change

Helena, MT to Los Angeles, CA

39.5%

$50k

$100k

Estimated Salary change

Helena, MT to Los Angeles, CA

28.2%

$50k

$100k

Think Carefully…

Looks like this move could have a negative net change in disposable income

$-6,768.5

Explanation

The cost of living in Los Angeles, CA is 39.5% higher than in Helena, MT. You would have to earn a salary of $83,685 to maintain your current standard of living.

Employers in Los Angeles, CA typically pay 28.2% more than employeers in Helena, MT. The same type of job in the same type of company in Los Angeles, CA will typically pay $76,916.

Cost of Living at Home

Typical Salary at Work

Current Location

Helena, MT Edit

New Location

Los Angeles, CA Edit

Percent Change

39.5%

28.2%

Current Employment Statistics in California.

Employment is up 0.2% over this time last year.

Cost of Living Calculator

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Comments about the Cost of Living in Los Angeles, CA

What are the cheapest grocery stores?

Some stores like Smith's offer frequent discounts or loyalty programs that can save you even more at the checkout. Since groceries are an essential part of you cost of living, take advantage of discounts whenever you can. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

Are there good recreational opportunities in or near Los Angeles, CA?

If you love sports, you will love Los Angeles, CA! Since there are football, baseball, basketball, hockey teams, you can go to a lot of games. Keep in mind that the tickets tend to be expensive, so you need to manage your entertainment budget carefully. Sometimes you can get discount tickets on line. Some people purchase a season ticket with a group of friends and take turns going to the games. Sports tickets can increase your cost of living in Los Angeles, CA, but if you are a true sports fan it is worth it. In Los Angeles, CA, the games are usually shown on local TV and you can host a party of friends and watch the game together. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

What is the cost of internet and cable TV in Los Angeles, CA?

The average cost of internet access in the U.S. is $66.20 per month. There are many providers and various packages that are offered, many that bundle internet, cable, and phone together. Pricing for various packages can vary a lot even in the same location. You should evaluate the options based on your usage and preferences and pick the best fit for your needs. One tip to reduce this cost and your overall cost of living, is to get cable service from another source like Direct TV, Netflix, Sling, Amazon Prime or others. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

Electricity bills are a big part of my current cost of living and can be really high, what is the cost of electricity in Los Angeles, California?

Electric costs in Los Angeles,CA are currently the fifth highest when compared to other states. Since a year ago the price of electricity in California has gone up about 2.63%. Electric costs will contribute to the energy component of your overall cost of living. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

I have a child, how much will child care cost per month in Los Angeles, California ?

It is difficult to exactly predict the cost of child care in any city, which for parents, is a large part of the cost of living. There are different arrangements and lengths of time that are needed to care for a child, and costs may vary a lot depending on the services provided. Based on the state average, for Los Angeles child care for a child up to 3 years could cost $11817 per year. California, is ranked NO. 11 in annual cost of child care in the U.S. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

Should I plan on spending a lot on rent in Los Angeles,CA?

In Los Angeles,CA, the median rent for a 1 bedroom apartment is $1363, and for a 2 bedroom apartment is $1752. In general, in the past year, rental costs in Los Angeles have increased by approximately 1.4%. Since rental expense makes up a significant part of the cost of living, you should consider this expense and how it might change when you calculate your cost of living in a new city. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

I need to keep my cost of living under control, is there a lot to do in Los Angeles, California that is not very expensive?

Looks for areas of Los Angeles, California where there is a large student population. In those areas you will be sure to find lots of free or cheap events to go to and plenty of cheap places to eat. Familiarize yourself with the places where students hang out, and take advantage of discounted or bargain prices, you are sure to be able to keep your cost of living reasonable. Look at the website for Los Angeles, CA to find recommendations for activities that are available and unique to the area. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

How does Los Angeles, California compare to the rest of U.S. as far as all the taxes that will affect my cost of living?

Good question. Based on Individual income taxes (which you will pay on earnings), Sales taxes (pay for your purchases), property taxes (on your home or indirectly on your rent), unemployment insurance taxes (from your income), and general business taxes (impacting employers ability to offer jobs and good pay), in Los Angeles, the overall tax climate compared to the rest of the country is the second highest. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

Is there good public transportation in Los Angeles, California?

Los Angeles, California is considered to have a very good public transport system. California is ranked NO. 18 in U.S for public transportation availability. Utilizing public transportation could reduce commuting costs in Los Angeles, California. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

How difficult is it to drive in Los Angeles, California?

If you are planning to drive to work, you will be spending a lot of time and gas to get there. Los Angeles, California is one of the Worst cities in the United States for driving. Los Angeles, California is ranked number 92 out of 100 major cities. Plan on spending more on gas and auto expenses if you move to Los Angeles, California, resulting in a higher cost of living. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

What is the average commute time in Los Angeles, California?

In Los Angeles, CA, the average commute time is about 47.16 minutes. This can vary depending on the time of day, day of week, and the weather and road conditions. If the weather is bad, commute time can double! You should factor this commuting time into your overall cost of living, since your time has value. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

Cost of living in Los Angeles, California is important, but what about the weather?

The weather in Los Angeles is ideal. Based on data collected by NOAA National Climatic Data Center, Los Angeles is considered to have one of the most favorable climates in the country based on comfort and number of days with clear skies. You will enjoy living in Los Angeles, California. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

How much is a monthly pass for public transit in Los Angeles, California?

The cost of a monthly transit pass in Los Angeles, CA is around $122.00. Ask your employer if they offer discounted passes to save even more money and reduce your cost of commuting and overall Cost of Living (COL). ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?

In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?

The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly. ( 2024-11-21 salary.com )

See how much you can get when it is an hourly pay

Use our Salary Converter Tool, a user-friendly resource designed to see how much your salary will be if converted into hourly/weekly/biweekly/monthly/yearly pay. With just a few clicks, you can gain valuable insights into your earning potential, ensuring you make informed financial decisions.

See how much you can get when it is a yearly pay

Last Update: 2024-11-21