Both Los Angeles and New York City are vibrant cities with extensive public transportation and diverse job markets. However, they both struggle with high costs of living, high crime rates, and poor air quality. New York City boasts better walkability, while Los Angeles offers more parks, although with less space per capita. Ultimately, the best choice depends on individual priorities and preferences.
| Attribute | Los Angeles | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | Not available | Housing has a cost of living index of 156.6 compared to a national average of 100. To live comfortably in New York City, a resident should earn at least $94,680 a year, $7,890 a month, or $45.52 an hour. |
| Average Commute Time | Not available | Commute times in New York City average around 33.2 minutes. However, commute times can vary significantly depending on the neighborhood, with some areas like Starrett City in Brooklyn averaging 64 minutes. |
| Public Transportation Options | Los Angeles has an extensive public transportation system consisting of Metro Buses, DASH Buses, and Metro Rail trains. The Metro Rail includes subway lines, light-rail lines, and express bus lines. A single fare on the Los Angeles Metro is $1.75. | New York City has an extensive public transportation system that includes subways, buses, and ferries. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) operates most of these services. The subway system has 24 lines. |
| Job Market Growth Rate | Los Angeles County experienced a 2.3% year-over-year increase in total jobs as of January 2024. However, the unemployment rate is projected to rise to 6.1% in 2025 from 5.7% in 2024. | New York City's economy has added 500,000 private sector jobs since the end of the last recession. Consulting, retail, construction, entertainment, real estate, technology, professional services, transportation, health care, and food service are industries driving growth in New York. |
| Average Rental Price (1-bedroom apartment) | The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles varies, with sources indicating prices around $2,184, $2,200, $2,093, and $4,950. | The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in New York City ranges from $4,034 to $5,242. However, other sources list the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment as $4,400, $4,929, and $3,985. |
| Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents) | Los Angeles has a crime rate of approximately 3,115 crimes per 100,000 residents. The violent crime rate is about 761 per 100,000 people, and the property crime rate is roughly 2,354 per 100,000 residents. | New York City has a violent crime rate of 744 crimes per 100,000 people, which is higher than the national average. The property crime rate is 2141 per 100,000 residents, also higher than the national average. |
| Number of Parks and Green Spaces | Los Angeles has 659 parks. However, the median park space is 3.3 acres per 1,000 people, below the median of 6.8 acres per 1,000 people in other high-density U.S. cities. | Not available |
| Walkability Score | Not available | New York City has a walk score of 85.3 out of 100. Little Italy, NoLita, Bowery, Union Square, Flatiron District, Chinatown, Gramercy Park, Greenwich Village, Financial District, and West Village have a walk score of 100. |
| Air Quality Index | Los Angeles air quality is currently rated as 'Poor'. | The Air Quality Index (AQI) in New York City is currently "Poor". The air has reached a high level of pollution and is unhealthy for sensitive groups. |
| Diversity Index | Not available | Not available |
| Number of Cultural Attractions | Not available | Not available |
| Average Temperature (Annual) | The temperature in Los Angeles typically varies from 48 F to 85 F. July is the hottest month with an average temperature of 22 C (72 F), and January is the coldest at 13 C (55 F). | The average annual temperature in New York City is 11.9 C (53.4 F). The temperature typically varies from 28 F to 85 F. |