CostIndexUSA

Greenville, SC vs Los Angeles, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableSC
Greenville
93.3
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
CA
Los Angeles
113.6
overall index
$2,875/mo rent

Greenville is significantly cheaper than Los Angeles — 21.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Greenville, you would need $97,400 in Los Angeles. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+121.9%
Greenville
76.8
Los Angeles
170.4
🛒 Groceries+10.7%
Greenville
96.3
Los Angeles
106.6
🚗 Transportation+6.2%
Greenville
103.2
Los Angeles
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+6.1%
Greenville
93.4
Los Angeles
99.1
Utilities+78.6%
Greenville
88.8
Los Angeles
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Greenville to see what you'd need to earn in Los Angeles to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$97,400
$17,400 more needed in Los Angeles

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 93.3) = salary × 1.2176. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Greenville, SC

Median Home Price
$303,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
76.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.3×

Los Angeles, CA

Median Home Price
$944,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,875
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.4×

Los Angeles has 121.9% higher housing costs compared to Greenville.

Income & Job Market

Greenville, SC

Median Household Income
$69,400
Per Capita Income
$39,600
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
72,885
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareTechnologyAutomotiveFinance

Los Angeles, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
3,979,576
Top Industries
EntertainmentTechnologyHealthcareLogisticsReal Estate

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Greenville, SC
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Los Angeles, CA
2.7×income-to-rent ratio

63% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.