$120K in New York = $111,016 in Los Angeles
Your $120K salary in New York (COL 187) has the same purchasing power as $111,016 in Los Angeles (COL 173). Los Angeles is cheaper — your money goes 7% further there.
Budget breakdown — $120K in both cities
What $120K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | New York $120K | Los Angeles $120K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,465 | $6,225 |
| 1BR rent | $3,500 | $2,800 |
| Groceries | $437 | $410 |
| Transport | $132 | $100 |
| Utilities | $180 | $145 |
| Internet | $75 | $70 |
| Left after essentials | $2,141/month | $2,700/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $120K in New York equivalent to in Los Angeles?
$120K in New York (COL index 187) has the same purchasing power as $111,016 in Los Angeles (COL index 173). That's 7% less than your current salary.
If I move from New York to Los Angeles keeping my $120K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $120K after moving to Los Angeles, you'd have $559 more per month after core expenses — because Los Angeles is cheaper than New York.
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 ÷ 187) = $111,016. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — New York 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