Salary Needed to Live in Los Angeles as a Family
A family of four (2 adults, 2 children) needs approximately $197,297/year to live comfortably in Los Angeles, CA, including 15% savings.
Direct Answer
A family with kids needs about $197,297/year to live comfortably in Los Angeles, CA. The bare-minimum salary is $156,756/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 15% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $11,654.
The minimum scenario leaves about $9,536/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $16,441/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$197,297
with 15% savings
Bare Minimum
$156,756
$13,063/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$9,536
35% above national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Family in Los Angeles
| Expense | Los Angeles | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3BR Apartment/House Rent | $2,513 | $2,509 | 0% |
| Groceries | $1,051 | $528 | +99% |
| Utilities | $414 | $337 | +23% |
| Transportation | $754 | $526 | +43% |
| Car Insurance | $196 | $215 | -9% |
| Health Insurance | $740 | $642 | +15% |
| Childcare/After-school | $1,992 | $1,200 | +66% |
| Internet + Phones | $299 | $180 | +66% |
| Children Activities | $415 | $250 | +66% |
| Dining Out | $581 | $350 | +66% |
| School Supplies & Clothing | $332 | $200 | +66% |
| Healthcare Co-pays | $249 | $150 | +66% |
| Total Monthly | $9,536 | $7,087 | +35% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$9,536
Target savings (15%):$2,118/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$11,654
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$197,297
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$2,513
3BR Apartment/House rent is 26% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus CA state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
15%
$2,118/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 3br apartment/house housing near $2,513/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $3,868/mo for persona-specific costs such as Childcare/After-school and Internet + Phones.
- Use $156,756/year as the survival floor and $197,297/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Los Angeles
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a family with kids need in Los Angeles?
A family with kids needs approximately $197,297/year ($16,441/month gross) to live comfortably in Los Angeles with a 15% savings rate.
How much is rent for a family with kids in Los Angeles?
A 3br apartment/house in Los Angeles costs approximately $2,513/month, which is the largest single expense at 26% of the total budget.
Is Los Angeles affordable for a family with kids?
Los Angeles is above the national average for family with kids living costs, requiring 35% more salary than the US median.