Salary Needed to Live in Los Angeles as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $31,181/year to live comfortably in Los Angeles, CA — including 10% savings.
Comfortable Salary
$31,181
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$26,910
no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$1,637
51% above national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Los Angeles
| Expense | Los Angeles | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Studio/1BR Rent | $219 | $113 | +94% |
| 🛒 Groceries | $34 | $17 | +100% |
| ⚡ Utilities | $17 | $14 | +21% |
| 🚗 Transportation | $38 | $26 | +46% |
| 🛡️ Car Insurance | $196 | $215 | -9% |
| 🏥 Health Insurance | $62 | $54 | +15% |
| Internet | $108 | $65 | +66% |
| Phone | $141 | $85 | +66% |
| Dining & Social | $498 | $300 | +66% |
| Entertainment | $199 | $120 | +66% |
| Personal Care | $125 | $75 | +67% |
| Total Monthly | $1,637 | $1,084 | +51% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$1,637
Target savings (10%):$211/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$1,848
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$31,181
Other Household Types in Los Angeles
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Los Angeles?
A single person needs approximately $31,181/year ($2,598/month gross) to live comfortably in Los Angeles with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Los Angeles?
A studio/1br in Los Angeles costs approximately $219/month, which is the largest single expense at 13% of the total budget.
Is Los Angeles affordable for a single person?
Los Angeles is above the national average for single person living costs, requiring 51% more salary than the US median.