Is Your Salary Enough for Los Angeles?
Is $65,000 a good salary in Los Angeles? The median household income here is roughly $65,000. Adjusted for Los Angeles's Cost of Living Index (~271), your $65,000 has the purchasing power of $23,985 in a standard US city. This places you squarely in the Los Angeles middle class income bracket.
Housing Affordability
Housing is the biggest expense. Financial experts recommend spending max 30% of net pay on rent. With a typical take-home pay, you can comfortably afford $1,219/mo. The average rent in Los Angeles is roughly $4,750, so you may need to adjust expectations.
Hourly Rate & Checks
Many Los Angeles residents prefer to think in hourly terms. A $65,000 salary breaks down to $31.25/hr (based on 2,080 hours) or roughly $2,500/check bi-weekly in California.
The Real Tax Bite
Where does the money go? In California, you will pay roughly $5,200 in state income taxes on a $65,000 salary. Combined with Federal and FICA, you keep approximately 72% of your gross pay.
California vs. Tax-Free States
How does this compare? Earning $65,000 in Los Angeles is equivalent to earning roughly $59,800 in a tax-free state like Florida, due to California's Progressive tax structure.