Los Angeles CA vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 75,721 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 37.3% | 48.7% | Renton + |
| Black | 8.5% | 2.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 6.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Renton
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Renton
$765,686
Renton +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Renton
45.2%
Renton +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $765,686 | Renton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 45.2% | Renton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Los Angeles +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Los Angeles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 16.1% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 40.1 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while renton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $765,686. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Los Angeles. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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