Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Los Angeles, CA

    Is Los Angeles a good place to live?

    Watch Los Angeles

    Los Angeles ranks #275 of 304 California cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (31/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population fell 0.6% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $879,500
    +6.9% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,879
    per month
    Household income
    $80,366
    median
    Unemployment
    7.9%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Los Angeles

    The median home value in Los Angeles is $879,500 and median rent is $1,879 a month, against a median household income of $80,366. Homes cost about 10.9× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Los Angeles crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across California the 2025 rate was 435 violent and 1,821 property crimes per 100,000 people — #9 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Los Angeles, CA

    Los Angeles has about 3,857,897 residents, 7.9% unemployment and 25% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Los Angeles with

    Los Angeles vs San DiegoLos Angeles vs San JoseLos Angeles vs San FranciscoLos Angeles vs FresnoLos Angeles vs SacramentoLos Angeles vs Long BeachLos Angeles vs OaklandLos Angeles vs Bakersfield

    More: Where to move in California · Best counties in California

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report