Table of Contents
If you are looking forward to living in a city with a clear sky, warm weather, and an amazingly diverse population, moving to Los Angeles will be the right decision. But beware that the city is not mild-mannered. The Californian city is a culturally diverse landscape packed with personalities, hustlers, and dreamers and you’ll see people chasing the dreams all around.
Hold on! Los Angeles is not all about Hollywood or the entertainment industry. The second-largest city in the US is much more than that.
If you are mulling over moving to Los Angeles, we’ve got a city guide for you with every information related to Los Angeles. Our guide discusses jobs, accommodation, taxes, attractions, education, and much more in Los Angeles. Going through this guide will help you make the final call on moving to Los Angeles.
Let’s get started.
Quick facts to know before moving to Los Angeles
Learn some facts about Los Angeles, CA before moving to the city to help you decide if it’s the right place for you.
- Los Angeles was originally with Spain and later with Mexico. It became a part of the US post the Mexican-American War in 1848.
- Los Angeles has heavy traffic and commuting time is much higher here.
- The city is highly expensive.
- The Los Angeles job market is booming.
- LA’s economy is bigger than Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, and Sweden’s.
- Hourly wages in Los Angeles are $30.61.
- LA has many nicknames – the City of Angels, the Big Orange, the City of Flowers and Sunshine, and La La Land.
What is the population of Los Angeles, CA?
Los Angeles is the second most populated city in the US and about 3,898,747 people call it their home. Los Angeles is highly diverse and the city has a visible presence of minority races. Here is a summary of the LA population.
- The density of population in LA is 8,304.22/sq mi.
- For every 100 females, there are 99.2 males.
- People from over 140 countries reside in LA and 59.8% of people can speak a language other than English.
- Only 59.4% of residents were born in the US and 39.7% were foreign-born.
- About 47.5% of the population are Hispanic or Latino and 29.4% are Non-Hispanic Whites.
- Other races include African American (9.8%), Native American (0.5%), Asian (10.7%), and Pacific Islander (0.2%).
- About 25.2% are from other races and 2.8% from two or more races.
- The homeownership rate in Los Angeles is 47.9%.
- The population growth in LA is higher than the US average.
How fast can you commute in Los Angeles, CA?
Let us be frank here. Los Angeles is pretty big – both in size and traffic. And it is normal to get stuck on the road in heavy traffic. Studies prove that residents spend approximately 53.6 minutes commuting in LA every day, which is much higher than the national average.
- About 74% of people drive their car to the office.
- About 9.3% of LA residents carpool with others.
- Approximately 5.7% of LA residents commute on public transport.
- About 5% of residents work from home.
How is the weather in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate. While daytime temperatures are generally temperate all year round, in winter they can be around 68 °F. Los Angeles experiences hot, dry summers, and mild-to-warm winters, with increased precipitation. The summer daytime temperatures can be in the low 80’s F and overnight, they may even come down to the lower 60’s F.
In winter, the average highs range from the upper 60’s F to lower 70’s F, and with cooler overnight lows in the upper 40’s and lower 50’s F. It doesn’t snow in Los Angeles.
Normally, Los Angeles gets 14.77 inches of rainfall annually, of which 92% falls between November 1 and April 30.
Top 10 reasons to move to LA
It is seen that more people are moving to the City of Angels every year. Armed with more job openings, a thriving economy, and a moderate climate LA is always welcoming new people. If you’re looking for reasons to move to Los Angeles, here are 10 reasons for you.
- Hollywood
- Los Angeles is a tech hub
- The cultural diversity
- The weather is mild
- There is art everywhere
- LA has miles of shoreline
- The outdoors is exciting
- Sports culture
- The nightlife is great
- LA is an education hub
- World-class shopping is possible
Pros and cons of living in Los Angeles
Just like any city, LA has also got its share of pluses and minuses. Before you pack your bags to La La Land, it is vital to gauge both the pros and cons of living in LA.
To help you decide whether LA is for you, we’ve got the pros and cons of living in Los Angeles, CA.
| Pros of living in Los Angeles | Cons of living in Los Angeles |
| There is always something to do | Traffic is a nightmare |
| This is a city of artists | Parking is a big challenge |
| Moderate climate | Stiff competition in the job market |
| Diverse population | Housing costs are extremely high |
| Strong sports culture | Threats of earthquakes are always there |
| Thriving economy | High cost of living |
| More job opportunities | Crime is a concern |
| World-class shopping venues available | Neighborhoods are spread far away |
How is the housing market in Los Angeles?
After moving to Los Angeles, you would require to wait for a few years to own a home as the property prices are extremely high here. The typical home value of homes in Los Angeles is $913,754 and home values have gone up 17.7% over the past year. About 32.2% of LA residents own a home.
Average home rental in Los Angeles
If buying a home is not in your plan, renting one is the next best option. 61.8% of LA residents stay at rented homes and home rentals. The rental home occupancy rate is 2.1% while the rental vacancy rate is 6.1%. This means finding a home rental is easier in LA.
Here’s a summary of the various average rental prices in Los Angeles according to Best Places:
- The average home rental in LA is $2,518.
- The average home rental for a studio apartment is $949.
- The average home rental for a 1-bedroom apartment is $1,568.
- The average home rental for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1,961.
- The average home rental for a 3-bedroom apartment is $2,641.
- The average home rental for a 4-bedroom apartment is $3,038.
Cost of living in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is one of the most expensive cities in the US. Though the city will offer you unlimited job opportunities and financial avenues, you would need to be ready to cough up high home rental, utilities, and other expenses. The cost of living in LA is 173.3 against the US average of 100.
Here’s a breakdown of the cost of living in Los Angeles.
| Cost of living | Los Angeles | California | US |
| Overall | 173.3 | 149.9 | 100 |
| Grocery | 104.1 | 105.1 | 100 |
| Health | 89.4 | 92.4 | 100 |
| Housing | 298.2 | 239.1 | 100 |
| Median home cost | $883,400 | $684,800 | $291,700 |
| Utilities | 93.7 | 102.4 | 100 |
| Transportation | 165.3 | 133.1 | 100 |
| Miscellaneous | 104.5 | 103.7 | 100 |
The job market in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is the 19th most competitive financial center in the world and the 6th in the US. The economy of Los Angeles is driven by international trade, entertainment (television, motion pictures, video games, music recording, and production), aerospace, technology, petroleum, fashion, apparel, and tourism. In addition, finance, telecommunications, law, healthcare, and transportation.
The city is the largest manufacturing center in the country and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach together form the busiest port in the US. All these factors contribute to the job market and finding a job is easier here than in the rest of the country. However, finding a job that allows you to live comfortably in an expensive city is tricky.
Here is a list of the top job providers in Los Angeles.
| Rank | Company | Employees |
| 1 | Kaiser Permanente | 37,468 |
| 2 | University of Southern California | 21,055 |
| 3 | Northrop Grumman Corp. | 16,600 |
| 4 | Providence Health and Services Southern California | 15,952 |
| 5 | Target Corp. | 15,000 |
| 6 | Ralphs/Food 4 Less (Kroger Co. Division) | 14, 970 |
| 7 | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center | 14,903 |
| 8 | Walt Disney Co. | 13,000 |
| 9 | Allied Universal | 12,879 |
| 10 | NBC Universal | 12,000 |
We’ve collated a summary of income, salary, and poverty in LA.
- The rate of unemployment in LA is 9.8%. The U.S. average is 3.9%.
- The minimum hourly wage in LA is $15.
- The median household income in LA is $62,142. The U.S. average is $67,521.
- The number of persons in poverty in LA is 18%. The US average is 11.8%.
10 Best neighborhoods in Los Angeles, CA
We’ve collated data about the best neighborhoods to live in Los Angeles, CA. Here are the 10 best neighborhoods to live in the city using data from Home Snacks:
| Rank | Neighborhood | Population | Median Home Value | Median Income |
| 1 | Hermosa Beach | 19,539 | $1,542,900 | $136,702 |
| 2 | Redondo Beach | 67,423 | $926,500 | $113,499 |
| 3 | Manhattan Beach | 35,500 | $2,000,001 | $153,023 |
| 4 | Palos Verdes Estates | 13,434 | $2,000,000 | $194,543 |
| 5 | San Marino | 13,194 | $2,000,001 | $166,607 |
| 6 | Rancho Palos Verdes | 42,030 | $1,156,700 | $138,557 |
| 7 | South Pasadena | 25,661 | $1,071,000 | $104,308 |
| 8 | Rolling Hills Estates | 8,169 | $1,326,600 | $150,135 |
| 9 | La Palma | 15,604 | $659,100 | $107,724 |
| 10 | Malibu | 12,620 | $2,000,001 | $150,747 |
What are the best things to do in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles is the most happening city and is packed with unlimited options to unwind, both indoor and outdoor. From mesmerizing beaches to magnificent Hollywood studios to outstanding museums, there is a lot to explore in the City of Angels.
To help you, we’ve got a list of the best things to explore.
- Explore Universal Studios Hollywood
- Visit Griffith Park and Griffith Observatory
- Tour Disneyland Resort
- Walk through Hollywood Boulevard
- Visit the Chinese Theater
- Visit the Getty center
- Explore Peterson Automotive Museum
- Tour the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
- Take your children to California Science Center
- Appreciate the art at the Board
- Explore the Original Farmers Market
- Visit Los Angeles County Museum of Art
- Stroll at Venice Beach
- Explore Battleship Iowa Museum
- Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art
- Shop at Rodeo Drive
- Visit Hollywood Sign
- Drive through Historic route 66
How safe is Los Angeles?
While moving to Los Angeles, you would be curious to know how safe the city is. Los Angeles has one of the highest crime rates in the US and the city stands 13th in the crime index where 100 is the safest.
If you are thinking about moving to Los Angeles, your chance of being a victim of violent crime is 1 in 135.
Here are a few facts about crime in Los Angeles.
- The total crime rate in LA is 25% higher than the US average.
- The rate of violent crime is 93% higher than the national average.
- The property crime rate is 13% higher than the national average.
- The murder crime rate in LA is 0.06 per 1,000. The US average is 0.05 per 1,000.
- , your chance of being a victim of violent crime is 1 in 135.
Here are a few facts about crime in Los Angeles.
- The total crime rate in LA is 25% higher than the US average.
- The rate of violent crime is 93% higher than the national average.
- The property crime rate is 13% higher than the national average.
- The murder crime rate in LA is 0.06 per 1,000. The US average is 0.05 per 1,000.
What are the top schools in the Los Angeles Area?
Here are the top 5 colleges and schools in LA as ranked by Great Schools from elementary to universities and colleges.
Top 5 Public Middle Schools in Los Angeles, CA
- KIPP Los Angeles College Preparatory Whittier Boulevard, Public, 6-12 | 1,670 students
- Renaissance Arts Academy North San Fernando Road, Public, K-12 | 554 students
- New West Charter Armacost Avenue, Public, 6-12 | 554 students
- ISANA Palmati Academy Wilshire Boulevard, Public, K-8 | 408 students
- KIPP Sol Academy Cesar Chavez Avenue, Public, 5-8 | 506 students
Top 5 Public Elementary Schools, Los Angeles, CA
- KIPP Raices Academy Atlantic Blvd, Public, K-4 | 574 students
- KIPP Iluminar Academy E. Cesar Chavez Avenue, Public, K-4 | 568 students
- Global Education Academy South Figueroa Street, Public, K-5 | 243 students
- Community Magnet Charter Elementary Bellagio Road, Public, K-5 | 458 students
- Cowan Avenue Elementary Cowan Avenue, Public K-6 | 355 students
Best Public High Schools in Los Angeles, CA
- Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High Cornwell Street, Public, 9-12 | 1861 students
- Downtown Business High West Temple Street, Public, 9-12 | 1037 students
- L.A. County High School for the Arts State University Drive, Public, 9-12 | 542 students
- Middle College High W. Imperial Hwy Bldg, Public, 9-12 | 404 students
- Math Science & Technology Magnet Academy at Roosevelt High South Mathews Street, Public, 9-12 |530 students
Top Colleges and Universities in Los Angeles, CA
- University of Southern California
- California institute of Technology
- University of California, Los Angeles
- Loyola Marymount University
- University of California Irvine
