Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale vs Seattle-Bellevue

Cost of Living Comparison

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$9,953
Rent (2BR) -$31,212
Net Income $28,835

To match your lifestyle in Seattle-Bellevue, you'd need:

$60,558

The Verdict

Cost of Living Index

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale 173.0
Seattle-Bellevue 151.6
Cheaper Avg (100) Pricier

Purchasing Power

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale $16,669
Seattle-Bellevue $21,607

Seattle-Bellevue

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$7,241
Rent (2BR) -$30,012
Net Income $32,747

To match your lifestyle in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, you'd need:

$82,363

The Bottom Line

On a $70,000 salary, you would have $3,912 more per year in Seattle-Bellevue compared to Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale. You'd pay $2,712 less in taxes in Seattle-Bellevue, while housing costs 4% less. The cost of living in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale is 73% above avg, while Seattle-Bellevue is 52% above avg, making Seattle-Bellevue the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale feels like earning $60,558 in Seattle-Bellevue once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, Seattle-Bellevue has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in Seattle-Bellevue ($21,053 vs $16,908 avg in-state tuition).

K-12 Schools

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale
Seattle-Bellevue
Schools
2,529
1,005
Enrollment
1,973,265
543,126
Pupil:Teacher
0:1
0:1
Charter %
2.9%
0.5%
Title I %
0%
0%

Colleges & Universities

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale
Seattle-Bellevue
Institutions
257
47
In-State Tuition
$21,053
$16,908
Out-of-State
$24,543
$20,883
Grad Rate
65.1%
53.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale or Seattle-Bellevue more expensive?

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale is more expensive with a cost of living index of 173.0 vs 151.6 (national average = 100).

What salary in Seattle-Bellevue equals $70,000 in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale?

You would need to earn approximately $60,558 in Seattle-Bellevue to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.

How much is rent in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale vs Seattle-Bellevue?

Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $31,212 in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale and $30,012 in Seattle-Bellevue—housing is 4% less in Seattle-Bellevue.