CostIndexUSA

Harrisburg, PA vs Los Angeles, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordablePA
Harrisburg
98.7
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
CA
Los Angeles
113.6
overall index
$2,875/mo rent

Harrisburg is significantly cheaper than Los Angeles — 15.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Harrisburg, you would need $92,100 in Los Angeles. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+76.9%
Harrisburg
96.3
Los Angeles
170.4
🛒 Groceries+5.9%
Harrisburg
100.7
Los Angeles
106.6
🚗 Transportation+6.8%
Harrisburg
102.6
Los Angeles
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+6.8%
Harrisburg
92.8
Los Angeles
99.1
Utilities+46.7%
Harrisburg
108.1
Los Angeles
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$92,100
$12,100 more needed in Los Angeles

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 98.7) = salary × 1.1510. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Harrisburg, PA

Median Home Price
$298,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
96.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.7×

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 76.9% higher housing costs compared to Harrisburg.

Income & Job Market

Harrisburg, PA

Median Household Income
$76,800
Per Capita Income
$43,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
49,192
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareFinanceEducationManufacturing

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).

Harrisburg, PA
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.