Los Angeles Cost Of Living (2025): Monthly Budget, Rent & Utilities Guide

Accuracy as of October 13, 2025. Figures reflect the City of Los Angeles or the LA-Long Beach-Anaheim area where noted; always verify exact costs for your address.

About 61% of a single renter’s monthly expenses in Los Angeles can go to rent alone when you compare current 1-bedroom median rents with typical non-rent costs for one person^{1, 14}. As of October 2025, the median one-bedroom in the city is roughly $2,195, with studios near $1,695 and two-bedrooms around $2,995¹. Below is a clear, numbers-first view of monthly budgets—rent, utilities, groceries, transportation—plus where you can cut spending before you choose a neighborhood or sign a lease.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for Singles and Families

Infographic of typical monthly living expenses in Los Angeles for singles and families — Budget drivers in LA: housing, transportation, food, and healthcare are the big levers.

Expect higher monthly costs than the U.S. average. A single person’s non-rent spending commonly falls around $1,300–$1,500 per month (crowdsourced estimates), so pairing that with a current city 1-bedroom median of ~$2,195 yields a total of roughly $3,550–$3,700 per month for one person in 2025^{1, 14}. For families, totals vary widely by bedroom count and childcare. Using HUD’s 2025 2-bedroom FMR of $2,625–$2,866 (40th–50th percentile) as a benchmark and layering food, utilities, transportation, and childcare, a practical family-of-four budget often exceeds $6,500–$8,500 per month as of October 2025^{4, 6, 18}.

Rent share example (as of Oct 2025): $2,195 (1BR median) ÷ ($2,195 + ~$1,374 non-rent) ≈ 61.5%^{1, 14}.

Average Rent by Unit Type and Neighborhood

Chart showing LA average rents by studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartment — Snapshot of LA asking rents in 2025; actual rent varies by building, location, and concessions.

Citywide as of October 2025, typical asking rents are about $1,695 (studio), $2,195 (1-bed), and $2,995 (2-bed)¹. Apartment platforms using broader samples report similar levels (e.g., studios ≈ $1,701; 1-beds ≈ $2,179; 2-beds ≈ $3,003)³. For voucher or affordability benchmarks, HUD’s 2025 median (50th percentile) rents for LA County are $2,026 studio, $2,272 1-bed, and $2,866 2-bed⁴.

As of Oct 2025: studios ≈ $1,695, one-beds ≈ $2,195, two-beds ≈ $2,995 in the City of Los Angeles.¹

Rents spike in highly desirable areas—e.g., Silver Lake (correct spelling) and West Hollywood—but “140% above national” is not accurate citywide. Using current national medians (~$1,517 for 1-beds), LA’s 1-bed median (~$2,195) sits roughly 45% higher than the U.S. median in late 2025^{1, 2}. If you’re flexible on location, less central neighborhoods and shared housing can meaningfully reduce costs: private rooms average about $1,287 citywide¹.

When comparing studios vs. one- and two-bedrooms, weigh commute time, amenities, and total monthly outlays (rent + utilities + transportation). This data-driven approach helps you balance lifestyle and affordability in LA’s high-cost market.

Utilities, Internet, and Phone Costs

Core utilities (electricity, gas, water, trash) for an apartment typically run about $150–$230+ per month depending on unit size, usage, and whether water/trash are included. As of 2025, LA’s average electricity price is in the high-20s ¢/kWh (e.g., ~28.6¢/kWh in late 2024), and natural gas averages around $1.50/therm⁷. Internet plans commonly cost $50–$80/mo (Spectrum, AT&T Fiber) and mobile plans range $15–$85/mo depending on carrier (e.g., Mint/Fi vs. Verizon/T-Mobile) and promos^{8, 9}. Together, utilities + internet + phone often total roughly $230–$350+ monthly in 2025.

Average Monthly Utilities

Core utilities (electricity, gas, water, trash): ~$150–$230+ (usage-dependent). Unit energy prices: electricity ~high-20s¢/kWh; gas ~$1.5/therm⁷.
Internet: ~$50–$80/mo for common tiers in LA (AT&T Fiber, Spectrum)⁸.
Mobile plan: ~$15–$85/mo depending on carrier and data⁹.
Combined estimate: ~$230–$350+ per month for most renters.

Internet and Phone Plans

Expect internet around $50–$80 and mobile between $15–$85 for a single line. Premium unlimited from major carriers sits higher; MVNOs (e.g., Mint) are cheaper⁹. If you rely on public transportation, the base fare is $1.75, with fare capping at $5/day and $18 per 7 days. There is no official monthly pass; however, hitting the 7-day cap each week yields an effective ~$72 spend over a 4-week month⁵. Parking often adds $100–$300+/mo depending on area and garage¹⁵.

Grocery and Dining Expenses

Photo collage of Los Angeles groceries and farmers market produce — Use weekly ads, seasonal produce, and bulk staples; prices vary by neighborhood and store.

LA grocery costs tend to run above the U.S. average (LA CPI “food at home” has risen ~3–4% YoY through mid-2025). A practical starting point for one person is $400–$550/mo, but the spread is wide by diet and store⁶. Keep receipts for a month to set your own baseline; pair discount chains with occasional mid-range dining.

Dining out: mid-range dinner for two varies widely; cocktails $12–$20+ depending on venue.
Fast options: quick-serve meals $10–$15+ in 2025.
Meal prepping: bulk cooking and pantry staples can trim per-meal cost; campus plans or employer cafeterias show the savings potential.

Transportation: Driving, Public Transit, and Rideshares

LA freeway traffic at sunset and Metro train collage — In LA, transportation choice (car vs. transit) changes your budget dramatically.

About 84% of residents drive at least some of the time. If you own a car, budget $300–$400+/mo for insurance, maintenance and fees (excluding car payments), plus gas. In early October 2025, LA regular gasoline averaged roughly $4.46–$4.73/gal per weekly reports; state average hovered near $4.66¹⁰. Parking can add $100–$300+/mo depending on neighborhood¹⁵.

Public transit: LA Metro is $1.75 base fare with fare capping at $5 per day and $18 per 7 days (no monthly pass). For frequent riders who hit the weekly cap, that’s effectively ~$72 over a 4-week month⁵. Rideshares remain convenient but costly per trip; frequent use can quickly eclipse transit costs.

When planning transportation, compare commute time, route reliability, and total monthly spend. Remember that state income tax and employer transit benefits can shift your after-tax costs.

Healthcare, Insurance, and Personal Care Costs

Stethoscope, dental tools, and eyeglasses representing LA healthcare costs — Premiums vary by age, plan metal tier, and subsidies; out-of-pocket visits add to monthly costs.

For 2025, Covered California reported an average premium change of about +7.9% statewide, though many enrollees are insulated by subsidies. Actual premiums for individuals in LA County vary widely by age and plan tier; shop the exchange each fall for current rates and subsidies^{12, 8}. As a budgeting proxy, many single adults earmark $200–$400/mo for premiums (net of subsidies) plus copays and prescriptions; adjust to your plan specifics.

Medical Visit Prices

Provider rates vary. To avoid surprises, verify in-network copays for primary care, dental cleanings, and optometry exams under your specific plan. LA CPI indicates modest health-care inflation in 2025; set aside some buffer for episodic care⁶.

Health Insurance Premiums

Monitor Covered California’s annual rate notices and subsidy rules. Note policy developments that could alter 2026 premiums if federal enhancements expire¹².

Personal Care Expenses

Health insurance & medical: budget your plan’s net premium + typical copays.
Personal care & grooming: haircuts, nails, toiletries—often $40–$80+/mo combined.
Gym & wellness: $40–$70+/mo; look for student/employer discounts.

Housing Market: Buying, Mortgages, and Property Taxes

Los Angeles neighborhood street with single-family homes at sunset — Run the full payment: principal + interest + taxes + insurance (PITI) + maintenance.

Buying in LA remains expensive. As of October 2025, the Zillow typical home value for Los Angeles is about $934,000, while Redfin’s median sale price is roughly $1.0M¹¹. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate recently hovered near 6.30%¹². Under California’s Prop 13, the base property tax rate is 1% of assessed value plus voter-approved local assessments (varies by neighborhood)¹³.

Example affordability check (as of Oct 2025): To keep rent near 30% of gross income, a $2,195 1-bed implies roughly $87,800 annual income. That’s a starting point for negotiating compensation or choosing roommates.^{1, 14}

Bottom line: with current home prices and rates, monthly PITI for a median LA home often exceeds comparable rent unless you have a strong down payment or target lower-priced neighborhoods.

Money-Saving Tips and Affordable Neighborhoods

Roommates cooking at home to reduce rent and food costs — Shared housing and strategic location choices can cut monthly spend significantly.

Shared housing: Rooms average about $1,287 citywide; house/apt shares can cut rent by a third or more¹.
Time your lease: Look for off-season concessions and pre-lease specials; compare net-effective rent.
Groceries: Aim for $300–$450 with meal planning, bulk staples, and discount chains; adjust to your needs⁶.
Transit vs. parking: Using LA Metro with fare capping ($18/7 days) can beat $100–$300+/mo parking in many neighborhoods^{5, 15}.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Average Cost of Living in Los Angeles per Month?

For a single renter in late 2025, a practical total is around $3,550–$3,700 (1-bed median rent + typical non-rent costs). Families vary widely by bedroom count and childcare; a family of four commonly lands in the $6,500–$8,500+ range^{1, 4, 6, 18}.

What Salary Do I Need to Live Comfortably in Los Angeles?

Using the 30% housing rule with today’s $2,195 1-bed median, target at least $85k–$95k gross for comfortable room in the budget (more if you add car payments, childcare, or savings goals)^{1, 14}.

Is $10,000 Enough to Move to LA?

Possibly for startup costs if you secure shared housing, keep deposits modest, and find income quickly. Build a cushion for transit, groceries, and any gap between paychecks.

Is $50,000 Enough to Live in LA?

It’s tight for a single renter. Consider roommates, lower-cost neighborhoods, and heavy reliance on public transit to stay within budget.

Conclusion

LA is pricey, but the math gives you leverage. With a $2,195 1-bed median and $230–$350+ for utilities/internet/phone, your core monthly stack can exceed $2,400 before groceries and transit. Testing scenarios—moving neighborhoods, adding a roommate, or switching to fare-capped transit—can free up thousands yearly. Track your actuals for 30 days and re-benchmark using the sources below.