Salary Needed to Live in Los Angeles as a Couple
A couple sharing expenses without children needs approximately $112,092/year to live comfortably in Los Angeles, CA, including 12% savings.
Direct Answer
A couple (no kids) needs about $112,092/year to live comfortably in Los Angeles, CA. The bare-minimum salary is $93,666/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 12% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $6,628.
The minimum scenario leaves about $5,698/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $9,341/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$112,092
with 12% savings
Bare Minimum
$93,666
$7,806/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$5,698
29% above national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Couple in Los Angeles
| Expense | Los Angeles | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Apartment Rent | $1,643 | $1,641 | 0% |
| Groceries | $638 | $320 | +99% |
| Utilities | $276 | $225 | +23% |
| Transportation | $603 | $421 | +43% |
| Car Insurance | $196 | $215 | -9% |
| Health Insurance | $740 | $642 | +15% |
| Internet | $108 | $65 | +66% |
| Phone (x2) | $232 | $140 | +66% |
| Dining & Social | $747 | $450 | +66% |
| Entertainment | $299 | $180 | +66% |
| Personal Care (x2) | $216 | $130 | +66% |
| Total Monthly | $5,698 | $4,429 | +29% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$5,698
Target savings (12%):$930/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$6,628
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$112,092
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,643
1-2BR Apartment rent is 29% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus CA state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
12%
$930/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
166/100
Los Angeles is well above the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby west Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br apartment housing near $1,643/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $1,602/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone (x2).
- Use $93,666/year as the survival floor and $112,092/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Los Angeles
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a couple (no kids) need in Los Angeles?
A couple (no kids) needs approximately $112,092/year ($9,341/month gross) to live comfortably in Los Angeles with a 12% savings rate.
How much is rent for a couple (no kids) in Los Angeles?
A 1-2br apartment in Los Angeles costs approximately $1,643/month, which is the largest single expense at 29% of the total budget.
Is Los Angeles affordable for a couple (no kids)?
Los Angeles is above the national average for couple (no kids) living costs, requiring 29% more salary than the US median.