Los Angeles CA vs New York NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Los Angeles
3,857,897
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Los Angeles +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Los Angeles +
New York
35.9%
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
New York
28.4%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 38.0 | Los Angeles + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 37.3% | 35.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Black | 8.5% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 28.4% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
New York
$79,713
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
New York
7.7%
New York +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Los Angeles +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $79,713 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 7.7% | New York + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 17.4% | Los Angeles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
New York
$816,078
New York +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Los Angeles +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $816,078 | New York + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 32.8% | Los Angeles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
New York
434
New York +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
New York
11.9%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.9% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 16.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 46.6 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Los Angeles +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 44.2 min | Los Angeles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, while new York offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $816,078. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Los Angeles. New York has a lower unemployment rate at 7.7%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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