Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities โบ Los Angeles vs Washington, D.C.
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 September 2026
๐บ๐ธ Los Angeles
๐บ๐ธ Washington, D.C.Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. cost about the same
Living on $8,136 a month in Los Angeles feels like about $8,052 in Washington, D.C. โ same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$369 vs $396
Per month
$8,136 vs $8,052
Local meal
$ 18 vs $ 17
$18 vs $17
Taxi 5 km
$ 20 vs $ 18
$20 vs $18
At a glance
Foodsimilar
Cafรฉs & drinkssimilar
Transportsimilar
StayLos Angeles 7% cheaper
Funsimilar
- No big gaps item by item โ pick by vibe and weather.
Item by item
| Item | Los Angeles | Washington, D.C. | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 18$18 | $ 17$17 | Washington, D.C. โ6% |
| Street food1 item | $ 8.1$8.1 | $ 7.7$7.7 | similar |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 45$45 | $ 48$48 | Los Angeles โ6% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5.5$5.5 | $ 5.5$5.5 | similar |
| Beerone bottle | $ 8$8 | $ 8$8 | similar |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 21$21 | $ 21$21 | similar |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2$2 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | $ 5$5 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 20$20 | $ 18$18 | Washington, D.C. โ10% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 12$12 | $ 12$12 | similar |
| Transitone ride | $ 1.75$1.75 | $ 2$2 | Los Angeles โ12% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 62$62 | $ 60$60 | similar |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 200$200 | $ 230$230 | Los Angeles โ13% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 2,500$2,500 | $ 2,500$2,500 | similar |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | $ 4$4 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 26$26 | $ 25$25 | similar |
| Haircutcut | $ 35$35 | $ 35$35 | similar |
| Massage1 hour | $ 100$100 | $ 100$100 | similar |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 93$93 | $ 90$90 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 26$26 | $ 25$25 | similar |
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 and Washington, D.C. cost about the same. Daily budget $369 vs $396; a month $8,136 vs $8,052.
How do monthly costs compare between Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Los Angeles is about $8,136 and Washington, D.C. about $8,052 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.