5 Pros and Cons of Living in Los Angeles, CA

Whether you’re searching for a family-friendly neighborhood with great schools or job opportunities in the entertainment industry, Los Angeles has a lot to offer renters. With sun year-round, a strong job market, and nature for those seeking an active lifestyle, it attracts people for various reasons.

Of course, living in Los Angeles isn’t all sunshine and roses. Heavy traffic and a high cost of living keep residents on their toes. In this article, we’ll cover the pros and cons of living in Los Angeles, including insights on crime rates, schools, jobs, safety, and cost-of-living data.

Note: We used internal data and cross-referenced with neighborhood data from Rent.com to give you the most accurate snapshot of rents across Los Angeles as of September 2025. Crime grades are sourced from CrimeGrade.org, and school ratings are from Niche.com.

Key Insights

While Los Angeles has a cost of living that’s 61.7% higher than the national average, the city still has a magnetic pull for many residents. According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, single residents without children should earn at least $57,845 to remain above the poverty threshold in this city, where renters can get nearly 300 days of summertime weather.

As of September 2025, the citywide average rent is $3,388, which is around 61.2% higher than the national average of $2,102, according to internal Apartment List data.

Quick Facts About Los Angeles

1. Pro: Endless Entertainment and Culture

From Hollywood and designer shopping to hiking trails around the city, LA has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment and culture. Residents also have access to a culturally diverse food scene, festivals, and unique neighborhoods with strong community connections.

Residents can visit the many museums, theaters, music venues, and other nightlife options. Find the best nightlife in neighborhoods like Hollywood and West Hollywood.

2. Con: High Cost of Living

As many residents will tell you, living in Los Angeles is fun, but it’s expensive. Expect to spend around 61.7% more than the national average, with a single person spending around $6,233 per month to live here. While many try to keep their living expenses low, it can be difficult due to the endless restaurants, concerts, and fun nightlife.

At more than three times the national average, housing costs are the primary contributor to the higher cost of living in Los Angeles, and if you can live with a roommate or join a house share, you can significantly reduce your costs while still enjoying everything LA has to offer.

3. Pro: Phenomenal Weather

Many people move to the state of California for weather-related reasons, and those moving to LA are no different. The city experiences around 292 days of sunshine, allowing residents to enjoy the extensive outdoor activities. Even in winter, daily low temperatures rarely dip below 42 degrees Fahrenheit, and the daily high average temperatures hover around 67 F.

4. Con: Congestion and Heavy Traffic

LA traffic is notorious, and the city is a sprawling metropolis, meaning it can take a while to get from one point to another. According to Sperling’s BestPlaces, the average one-way commute in LA is 30.9 minutes, which is 4.5 minutes longer than the national average of 26.4 minutes.

Air quality can also suffer due to vehicle emissions and wildfires, which affect many California cities.

5. Pro: Large Job Market

Los Angeles is a multinational city, and along with that diversity comes a diverse job market. From renowned restaurants to tech jobs to roles in entertainment for actors, stagehands, and writers, the city offers a truly diverse range of employment opportunities.

The tricky part isn’t finding a job so much as finding one that pays enough to live comfortably in the city. Recruiters and other industry experts recommend landing a job before making a big move to the City of Angels.

Is Los Angeles a Good Place to Live?

Yes, Los Angeles is a great place to live for those who love the outdoors and want to reside in a vibrant city with a diverse culture and entertainment options. One-bedroom apartments cost an average of $2,596, while two-bedroom apartments cost an average of $3,975.

Rents are high in the city, and if you want to live in an affordable apartment, you’ll have to shop around or find roommates. A robust job market, 292 days of sunshine per year, and a cultural and entertainment hub make it a magnet for living.

What’s It Like Living in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles offers the high life while still providing roots in peaceful outdoor activities and family-friendly neighborhoods. Residents may spend a day hiking the Runyon Canyon or Griffith Park Trails, catch a flick at one of LA’s movie theaters, such as the Alamo Drafthouse, or take a tour of Warner Bros. Studios.

The city’s neighborhoods are also diverse and cater to different lifestyles: Areas like Downtown Los Angeles and Palms offer walkability; Porter Ranch and Westchester-Playa Del Ray provide family-friendly areas with top schools; and Silver Lake and East Hollywood are ideal for young professionals and students.

What’s the Culture Like in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a unique culture, characterized by its diverse nationalities and a thriving food, arts, and entertainment scene. Hispanic food and events shape the city, and the 2020 census indicates that 39% of households speak Spanish at home.

The city is known for Hollywood and endless film sets, trend-setting cuisine, cultural celebrations such as Día de los Muertos and Chinese New Year, and the LA Pride Parade.

What’s the Cost of Living in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a high cost of living at 61.7% higher than the national average. Housing accounts for the highest expenses, coming in at 202.8% higher than the national average.

LA’s hopeful homeowners can expect to spend $912,500, which is the median home cost for the city. For reference, the U.S. national average is $338,100, a difference of $574,400.

Other living expenses are more comparable to standard costs in the U.S. For example, according to Numbeo, a meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs around $25, while a one-month membership to a fitness club is approximately $47.45.

How Is the Job Market in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles’ job market provides varied opportunities for residents, with key industries such as entertainment, healthcare, fashion, manufacturing, and tourism. Major employers, such as the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Warner Bros., Google, and Kaiser Permanente, provide numerous Angelenos with employment opportunities.

Data from the 2020 U.S. census shows the employment rate is 62.7% for the city, and the unemployment rate for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale area is 6.4% as of July 2025. This is 2.1% higher than the national unemployment rate, which sits at 4.3% as of July 2025.

How Safe Is Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has an overall D+ crime grade, and residents spend around $492 per person on crime-related costs. The city’s violent crime decreased by 2,586 crimes.&text=Rapes%20decreased%20by%20%2D97%20crimes,(8%2C696%20Robberies%20in%202023).) between 2023 and 2024. Burglaries also decreased by 1,092 crimes from 2023 to 2024, and motor vehicle thefts saw a decrease of 1,963 crimes.

The neighborhood determines safety, and certain areas experience increased rates of crimes, such as motor vehicle theft and burglaries. Before renting an apartment, look at neighborhood-level data for an overview of safety.

What Are Schools Like in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles hosts a diverse range of respected public, private, and charter schools, alongside its renowned universities. Schools to note include Harvard-Westlake School (private), the California Academy of Mathematics and Science (public), and Granada Hills Charter School (charter). LA’s schools are considered among the top in the country, boasting high academic performance.

Those at the university and collegiate level can choose from standouts such as the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Southern California.

Is Los Angeles a Good Place to Raise a Family?

Yes, many Angelenos consider LA to be a great place to raise a family. There’s unfettered access to culturally diverse events, food, plenty of opportunity for outdoor activities, and some of the best schools in the country.

Neighborhoods like Brentwood and Porter Ranch offer family-friendly amenities, including top-rated schools and spacious homes in a home setting. Families can also enjoy access to the large entertainment industry and visit nearby theme parks, such as Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Six Flags Magic Mountain.

What Are Some Popular Neighborhoods in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has neighborhoods for every lifestyle, from walkable areas to family-friendly hubs with excellent schools.

Here’s a look at average rent prices in some of the city’s most popular spots:

Is Living in Los Angeles Right for You?

Living in Los Angeles may be right for you if you’re drawn to the city’s major employers, such as those in entertainment, education, or technology, want to live in a family-friendly city with great schools, or enjoy the perpetual sunshine.

Renters should keep in mind that the cost of living in Los Angeles is high and budget accordingly. Those hoping to save on rent can take the personalized Apartment List quiz to find rental units within budget. With us, you’ll spend five minutes and save 50 hours searching.

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Los Angeles

What are the downsides of living in Los Angeles?

LA is a busy and congested city, and its sprawling nature can make it challenging to navigate. The area is also vulnerable to wildfires and other natural disasters, including earthquakes and flooding.

A significant downside for many renters is the high cost of housing. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is currently $2,596.

Why are people moving to Los Angeles?

People tend to move to Los Angeles for job opportunities and to get closer to nature. With almost 300 days of sunshine, it’s an appealing location for those looking for a new place to call home.

What are the biggest risks of living in Los Angeles?

If you’re considering moving to LA, the biggest risks to consider include natural disasters such as wildfires, flooding, and earthquakes, severe traffic, and a high cost of living.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Los Angeles?

According to MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, an individual without children should earn at least $57,841 per year before taxes to remain above the poverty threshold.