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Los Angeles vs Philadelphia: prices, pay and housing
| Los Angeles, CA | Philadelphia, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 113.6 | 102.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $77,270 | $71,730 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $55,850 | $54,310 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $68,040 | $69,944 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $60,080 | $57,090 |
| Typical home value | $968,608 | $390,463 |
| Median household income | $93,525 | $89,273 |
| Home price / household income | 10.4 | 4.4 |
| Metro population | 13,012,469 | 6,241,882 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Los Angeles to Philadelphia
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Los Angeles to Philadelphia, multiply your salary by 0.903.
| Salary in Los Angeles | Same buying power in Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Los Angeles | $45,152 in Philadelphia |
| $75,000 in Los Angeles | $67,728 in Philadelphia |
| $100,000 in Los Angeles | $90,303 in Philadelphia |
| $150,000 in Los Angeles | $135,455 in Philadelphia |
| $200,000 in Los Angeles | $180,607 in Philadelphia |
Salaries for common jobs in Los Angeles and Philadelphia
| Job | Los Angeles | Philadelphia | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $35,890 | $32,250 | $31,603 / $31,447 |
| Registered Nurses | $140,370 | $101,400 | $123,602 / $98,875 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $41,080 | $31,880 | $36,173 / $31,086 |
| General and Operations Managers | $157,110 | $145,650 | $138,342 / $142,023 |
| Retail Salespersons | $43,010 | $36,970 | $37,872 / $36,049 |
| Cashiers | $39,550 | $32,970 | $34,826 / $32,149 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,070 | $43,930 | $38,806 / $42,836 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,400 | $39,140 | $37,335 / $38,165 |
| Office Clerks, General | $50,980 | $48,560 | $44,890 / $47,351 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $42,640 | $41,390 | $37,546 / $40,359 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $53,500 | $49,100 | $47,109 / $47,877 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $43,050 | $39,610 | $37,907 / $38,624 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $56,320 | $50,280 | $49,592 / $49,028 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $61,230 | $62,060 | $53,916 / $60,514 |
| Nursing Assistants | $49,700 | $45,820 | $43,763 / $44,679 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Los Angeles vs Philadelphia: questions
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Philadelphia?
Yes. BEA prices are 113.6 in Los Angeles, CA and 102.6 in Philadelphia, PA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Philadelphia to match $100,000 in Los Angeles?
About $90,303, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Los Angeles or Philadelphia?
Philadelphia, PA: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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