$120K in Boston = $128,148 in Los Angeles
Your $120K salary in Boston (COL 162) has the same purchasing power as $128,148 in Los Angeles (COL 173). Los Angeles is more expensive — you'd need 7% more to maintain the same lifestyle.
Budget breakdown — $120K in both cities
What $120K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Boston $120K | Los Angeles $120K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,655 | $6,225 |
| 1BR rent | $3,000 | $2,800 |
| Groceries | $418 | $410 |
| Transport | $90 | $100 |
| Utilities | $185 | $145 |
| Internet | $70 | $70 |
| Left after essentials | $2,892/month | $2,700/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $120K in Boston equivalent to in Los Angeles?
$120K in Boston (COL index 162) has the same purchasing power as $128,148 in Los Angeles (COL index 173). That's 7% more than your current salary.
If I move from Boston to Los Angeles keeping my $120K salary, will I be better off?
Not necessarily. Core expenses in Los Angeles are higher, so on the same $120K salary you'd have $192 less per month. You'd need to earn $128,148 to maintain the same standard of living.
How is the salary equivalent calculated?
The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $120K × (173 ÷ 162) = $128,148. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Boston to Los Angeles
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only