Rent vs Buy Calculator for Los Angeles, CA
Updated 2026 · Local data pre-filled
Los Angeles's price-to-rent ratio is 35.0 — generally favoring renting unless you plan to stay long-term. Median rent is $2,050/mo vs a $860,000 purchase price.
✓ Calculator below is pre-filled with Los Angeles local data
How Los Angeles Compares to the National Average
Understanding how Los Angeles stacks up helps you calibrate your financial planning.
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | US Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $860,000 | $420,800 | +104.4% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,050 | $1,713 | +19.7% |
| Median Household Income | $76,000 | $74,580 | +1.9% |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.73% | 1.10% | -33.6% |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 100 | +73.0% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, NAR (2024–2025). Green = favorable for residents; red = less favorable.
Los Angeles Financial Snapshot
- Population (Metro)
- 13,200,000
- Unemployment
- 5.3%
- Avg Commute
- 32 min
- Median Age
- 36.4
- Price-to-Rent Ratio
- 35.0x
- Annual Property Tax
- $6,278
Rent vs Buy Calculator in Other California Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Los Angeles
What is the median home price in Los Angeles, CA?
The median home price in Los Angeles is $860,000 as of 2025–2026. This is above the national median of $420,800.
What is the average rent in Los Angeles?
Median monthly rent in Los Angeles is $2,050. That works out to $24,600/year, or 32% of the median household income — above the recommended 30% threshold.
Is Los Angeles affordable?
Los Angeles's cost of living index is 173 vs. the national average of 100. With a median household income of $76,000/year and a median home price of $860,000, the price-to-income ratio is 11.3x. This makes homeownership a significant stretch for the typical Los Angeles household.
What is the property tax rate in Los Angeles?
The effective property tax rate in Los Angeles is 0.73% of assessed value. On the median home of $860,000, that's roughly $6,278/year ($523/month).