Popular cities
Los Angeles vs Washington, D.C. cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐บ๐ธ Los Angeles
๐บ๐ธ Washington, D.C.
At a glance
- Where Washington, D.C. is clearly cheaper: Half-day tour (33%โ), Taxi (22%โ)
- Where Los Angeles is clearly cheaper: Laundry (33%โ), Massage (32%โ), Transit (22%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Washington, D.C. is easier to travel (1.4 vs 2.0). Biggest gap: rip-offs & haggling โ Los Angeles 2 vs Washington, D.C. 1. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Los Angeles | Washington, D.C. | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 18$18 | $ 22$22 | Los Angeles โ18% |
| Street food1 item | $ 11$11 | $ 14$14 | Los Angeles โ21% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 48$48 | $ 50$50 | similar |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5.5$5.5 | $ 6$6 | Los Angeles โ8% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 9$9 | $ 8.5$8.5 | Washington, D.C. โ6% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 17$17 | $ 17$17 | similar |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2.3$2.3 | Los Angeles โ13% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 3$3 | $ 3$3 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 18$18 | $ 14$14 | Washington, D.C. โ22% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 10$10 | $ 9$9 | Washington, D.C. โ10% |
| Transitone ride | $ 1.75$1.75 | $ 2.25$2.25 | Los Angeles โ22% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 35$35 | $ 35$35 | similar |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 200$200 | $ 230$230 | Los Angeles โ13% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 2,100$2,100 | $ 2,200$2,200 | similar |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | $ 6$6 | Los Angeles โ33% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 26$26 | $ 30$30 | Los Angeles โ13% |
| Haircutcut | $ 30$30 | $ 35$35 | Los Angeles โ14% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 75$75 | $ 110$110 | Los Angeles โ32% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 75$75 | $ 50$50 | Washington, D.C. โ33% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 28$28 | $ 30$30 | Los Angeles โ7% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Los Angeles or Washington, D.C.?
Los Angeles is 7% cheaper than Washington, D.C.. Daily budget $368 vs $402; a month $7,222 vs $7,631.
Which is easier to travel, Los Angeles or Washington, D.C.?
Washington, D.C. is easier: Washington, D.C. 1.4/5 vs Los Angeles 2.0/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Los Angeles is about $7,222 and Washington, D.C. about $7,631 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.