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City Relocation Guide

Moving to Los Angeles, CA

Population 3,979,576 · LAX Airport · Pacific Time

Everything you need to know about housing, neighborhoods, and the local lifestyle before you pack your boxes.

Median Home

$850,000

Rent (1BR)

$2,300/mo

Cost of Living

166 / 100

Unemployment

4.8%

Sunny Days

284/yr

Walkability

Car-Dependent

What It's Really Like in Los Angeles

The entertainment capital of the world with perfect weather year-round. A car-dependent city of distinct neighborhoods, from beachside to mountain-adjacent, with an incredibly diverse food scene.

Neighborhood Guide

Where to live in Los Angeles based on your lifestyle and budget.

Silver Lake

trendy

Hip eastside neighborhood with indie coffee shops, boutiques, and the reservoir. LA's answer to Brooklyn with a more laid-back California vibe.

Avg Rent

$2,500

Home Price

$1,100,000

Walkability

Medium

Santa Monica

upscale

Beach city with excellent walkability by LA standards. Upscale dining, Third Street Promenade, and ocean breezes that make summer bearable.

Avg Rent

$3,200

Home Price

$1,600,000

Walkability

High

Koreatown

affordable

Dense, vibrant neighborhood with the best Korean food outside Korea. Surprisingly walkable for LA with excellent late-night dining options.

Avg Rent

$1,800

Home Price

$550,000

Walkability

High

Pasadena

family-friendly

Charming city within a city with Old Town shopping, excellent schools, and Rose Bowl culture. A calmer alternative to westside living.

Avg Rent

$2,200

Home Price

$900,000

Walkability

Medium

Venice

artsy

Bohemian beach community with tech offices, street performers, and Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Eclectic and expensive but uniquely LA.

Avg Rent

$3,000

Home Price

$1,800,000

Walkability

Medium

Highland Park

artsy

Northeast LA neighborhood with a thriving arts scene, craft breweries, and York Boulevard dining. Up-and-coming with strong community character.

Avg Rent

$2,000

Home Price

$850,000

Walkability

Medium

Cost of Living Breakdown

Compared to the national average (100). Below 100 = cheaper, above 100 = more expensive.

Groceries

105

5% above avg

Housing

286

186% above avg

Transportation

118

18% above avg

Healthcare

108

8% above avg

Utilities

92

8% below avg

Best Neighborhoods By Situation

Best for Families

Pasadena — $2,200/mo rent

Best for Young Professionals

Silver Lake — $2,500/mo rent

Most Affordable

Koreatown — $1,800/mo rent
Highland Park — $2,000/mo rent

Most Walkable

Santa Monica — walkability: high
Koreatown — walkability: high

Getting Around Los Angeles

Walkability: Car-Dependent

Los Angeles is primarily car-dependent. You'll need a vehicle for most daily activities including commuting, shopping, and entertainment.

Airport: LAX

Los Angeles is served by LAX airport, connecting you to major domestic and international destinations. This is important if you travel frequently for work or want to visit family back home.

Jobs & Economy

Median Income

$65,290

Unemployment Rate

4.8%

State Income Tax

1-13.3%

Cost of Living Index

166

Top Industries

EntertainmentTechnologyAerospaceHealthcareTourism

Major Employers

Kaiser PermanenteUniversity of CaliforniaWalt Disney CoCedars-SinaiSpaceX

Popular Routes to Los Angeles

People are moving to Los Angeles from these cities.

New York, NYLos Angeles

2,790 miles41hr driveI-80 West

Los Angeles, CALos Angeles

370 miles5.5hr driveI-10 East

Los Angeles, CALos Angeles

270 miles4hr driveI-15 North

Los Angeles, CALos Angeles

380 miles6hr driveI-5 North

Los Angeles, CALos Angeles

965 miles15hr driveI-5 North

Los Angeles, CALos Angeles

1,135 miles17hr driveI-5 North

Los Angeles, CALos Angeles

1,020 miles15hr driveI-15 North

Los Angeles, CALos Angeles

1,380 miles20hr driveI-10 East

Los Angeles, CALos Angeles

1,440 miles21hr driveI-10 East

Moving from Los Angeles to Other States

Route guides from Los Angeles, CA to every US state.

Los Angeles → Texas Los Angeles → Florida Los Angeles → New York Los Angeles → Pennsylvania Los Angeles → Illinois Los Angeles → Ohio Los Angeles → Georgia Los Angeles → North Carolina Los Angeles → Michigan Los Angeles → New Jersey Los Angeles → Virginia Los Angeles → Washington Los Angeles → Arizona Los Angeles → Massachusetts Los Angeles → Tennessee Los Angeles → Indiana Los Angeles → Maryland Los Angeles → Missouri Los Angeles → Wisconsin Los Angeles → Colorado Los Angeles → Minnesota Los Angeles → South Carolina Los Angeles → Alabama Los Angeles → Louisiana Los Angeles → Kentucky Los Angeles → Oregon Los Angeles → Oklahoma Los Angeles → Connecticut Los Angeles → Utah Los Angeles → Iowa Los Angeles → Nevada Los Angeles → Arkansas Los Angeles → Mississippi Los Angeles → Kansas Los Angeles → New Mexico Los Angeles → Nebraska Los Angeles → Idaho Los Angeles → West Virginia Los Angeles → Hawaii Los Angeles → New Hampshire Los Angeles → Maine Los Angeles → Rhode Island Los Angeles → Montana Los Angeles → Delaware Los Angeles → South Dakota Los Angeles → North Dakota Los Angeles → Alaska Los Angeles → District of Columbia Los Angeles → Vermont Los Angeles → Wyoming

Moving from Los Angeles to Metro Areas

Route guides from Los Angeles to major metropolitan areas.

Los Angeles → New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ Los Angeles → Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Los Angeles → Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN Los Angeles → San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Los Angeles → Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Los Angeles → Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Los Angeles → Trenton-Princeton, NJ Los Angeles → Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT Los Angeles → Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Los Angeles → Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL Los Angeles → Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ Los Angeles → Vallejo, CA Los Angeles → Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Los Angeles → Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Los Angeles → Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Los Angeles → Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA Los Angeles → Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Los Angeles → Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO Los Angeles → Kenosha, WI Los Angeles → Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI

Moving from Los Angeles to Major Cities

Route guides from Los Angeles to the largest US cities.

Los Angeles → New York, NY Los Angeles → Chicago, IL Los Angeles → Houston, TX Los Angeles → Phoenix, AZ Los Angeles → Philadelphia, PA Los Angeles → San Antonio, TX Los Angeles → San Diego, CA Los Angeles → Dallas, TX Los Angeles → Austin, TX Los Angeles → San Jose, CA Los Angeles → Jacksonville, FL Los Angeles → Fort Worth, TX Los Angeles → Columbus, OH Los Angeles → Charlotte, NC Los Angeles → Indianapolis, IN Los Angeles → San Francisco, CA Los Angeles → Seattle, WA Los Angeles → Denver, CO Los Angeles → Nashville, TN Los Angeles → Oklahoma City, OK Los Angeles → Washington, DC Los Angeles → El Paso, TX Los Angeles → Boston, MA Los Angeles → Portland, OR Los Angeles → Las Vegas, NV Los Angeles → Memphis, TN Los Angeles → Louisville, KY Los Angeles → Baltimore, MD Los Angeles → Milwaukee, WI Los Angeles → Albuquerque, NM

Your Los Angeles Newcomer Checklist

A 30-60-90 day plan to get settled in your new city.

30

First 30 Days

Update your driver's license & vehicle registration
Register to vote at your new address
Set up utilities (electric, water, internet)
Find a primary care doctor & dentist
Open a local bank account if needed
Explore your neighborhood on foot

60

Days 30–60

Join a local gym, club, or meetup group
Try restaurants in different neighborhoods
Find your go-to grocery store & pharmacy
Learn the best commute routes & shortcuts
Attend a local event or festival
Meet your neighbors — introduce yourself

90

Days 60–90

Establish a weekend routine (parks, brunch spots)
Build a professional network in your industry
Find a favorite coffee shop to work from
Explore day-trip destinations nearby
Start feeling like a local — give directions!
Invite friends & family to visit your new home

Ready to Move to Los Angeles?

Get free, no-obligation moving quotes from top-rated movers experienced with relocations to Los Angeles, CA.