Cost of living in Los Angeles
The cost of living in Los Angeles is second only to that of New York. Of course, in comparison, Los Angeles is cheaper, but not by far. Here are some basic costs for some of the general necessities that an “expat” would consider:
Accommodation
- Rent: $2,100 – $3,500 a month.
- Purchase: Median: $390,000 to high: $600,000.
Utility bills
- Water: $40 -$80.
- Electricity $50-$100.
- Gas: $30-$60.
Food
- Milk: $2.50 half gallon
- Butter: $2.59 8oz
- Eggs: $2.50 a dozen
- Bread: $2.00 a loaf
- Rice: $2.30 for 5lbs
- Potatoes: $0.49 for 1lbs
- Instant Coffee: $7.99 for 8oz
- Apple: $3.49 for 3lbs
- Tomatoes: $0.99 per lb
- Bananas: $0.88 per lb
- Cheese: Cheddar: $2.99 for 8oz
- Fruit Juice: $3.00 for 64 Fl.oz
- Cereal: $3.99 for 14oz
- Chicken: Whole: $0.69 per lb
- Ham: Sliced pre-packed: $4.99 for 16oz
- Carrots: $2.99 for 5lbs
- Iceberg Lettuce: 90c each
Transport
Average taxi ride cost: $20 with tip.
- $2.85 flag drop (first 1/9th mile).
- $0.30 for each additional 1/9th mile ($2.70 per mile).
- $0.30 for each 37 seconds waiting/delay ($29.19 per hour).
- $46.50 flat fare for trips between LAX and downtown.
- $2.50 surcharge for all trips originating at LAX.
City Transport Monthly Passes:
- DASH: $9.00
- LA Department of Transit: LADOT Pass: $99 for 4 zones
- LADOT 20 trip booklet: $52 for 4 zones
- Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority: $62
- EZ Transit Pass: $70: Travel on Metro Bus, Metro Rail
Petrol Pump Price: $2.69 to $3.25 a gallon.
Leisure
- Cinema Ticket: $10.00
- Opera/Ballet: $70-$326
- Gym Membership: $60 a month
- Meal for 2 upmarket: $120
- Meal for 4 family: $75
Miscellaneous
- Cable TV: $29.99
- Home internet: $30.00 DSL
- Mobile phone: $60 – $150
- Landline: $25.99
- Housekeeping: $65-$80
- Babysitter: $10-$25 per hour
- Shirt Drycleaning: $4.00 – $7.95
School Fees
- Weekly Daycare: From $140-$250 per week
- Private Kindergarten: From $5,000 – 10,000 per year
- Private Elementary School: From $8,000 – $18,000 per year
- Private High School: From $10,000 – $20,000 per year
