Moving to Los Angeles CA in 2023? Complete Moving Guide

This is a complete guide for Moving to Los Angeles, CA.
Get all the information you need to know about moving to Los Angeles, CA.

Are you considering moving to Los Angeles?

Known for its warm climate, rich history, and inclusive culture, Los Angeles is one of the best places to live in America.

Los Angeles is home to more than 500 tech companies and startups alongside a sturdy job market. Known for being a cosmopolitan city and a melting pot of culture, Los Angeles opens up several business opportunities across the city.

If you’re considering moving to Los Angeles and wondering if the city is right for you or not, this guide contains all you need to know to make the right decision.

Let’s find out if moving to Los Angeles is right for you.

facts of Los Angeles

Quick facts to know before moving to Los Angeles

  • Los Angeles average one-way commute time takes 30.9 minutes
  • Los Angeles averages 284 sunny days per year
  • Over the last 10 years, L.A. home values have risen by 114.2%
  • Los Angeles jobs have grown by 0.7% over the past year
  • California property tax is 0.73% average effective rate
  • Los Angeles average annual pay for average jobs is $68,118 a year
  • Los Angeles property crime rate is lower than the U.S. average

Is moving to LA a good idea?

Moving to Los Angeles is a good idea. Los Angeles is one of the best places to reside in California. The city is home to a population of about 4 million people. People from all over the country and the world are flocking to Los Angeles, which is known for its cultural diversity, in the hopes of realizing its goals.

What salary do you need to live in Los Angeles?

In Los Angeles, a yearly income of $68,118 was approximately right for the average person to live comfortably. Since you’re considering moving to Los Angeles, you’ll have to keep that in mind.

How hard is it to move to Los Angeles?

If you're mulling over how to move to Los Angeles, you'll be relieved to learn that it's rather simple. Housing options are many, activities abound, and finding a job can be reasonably simple. Residents of Los Angeles, the world's tenth most expensive city, frequently spend more than half of their monthly salary on rent alone.

How can I move to Los Angeles without a job?

Thinking about moving to Los Angeles without a job? You can, but you'll need to have enough money to rent a home that doesn't demand proof of income, Airbnb in a hostel (you can get one for 17-20 a night in Korea town), live in your car, or find a nonprofit program that will provide you with housing while you look for work.

Is Los Angeles a good place to live 2023?

Los Angeles is a good place to live. According to a new rating released this week by U.S. News & World Report, the City of Angeles is the 126th best place to live in the United States. The ranking for 2021-22 ranks the 150 most populous metropolitan regions in the United States based on affordability, job prospects, and desirability.

What’s the population of Los Angeles?

Los Angeles population is 3,985,516 people making it the largest city in California and the second largest in America. Spreading across over 503 miles, Los Angeles is the County Seat of Los Angeles County.

  • Los Angeles is currently growing at a rate of 0.05% annually
  • Los Angeles population has increased by 5.09% since the most recent census
  • Los Angeles has a population density of 8,499 people per square mile
  • Los Angeles median age is 35.6 years
  • The median age is 34.7 years for males, and 36.5 years for females

How fast can you commute in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles average one-way commute time takes 30.9 minutes. The U.S. average take 26.4 minutes. Since you’re considering moving to LA, you’re most likely wondering how the city’s residents commute to work. Here’s a quick breakdown to get a head start:

  • Up to 68.9% of Los Angeles residents drive their own car alone
  • Around 9.0% of Los Angeles residents carpool with others
  • About 5.9% of Los Angeles residents work from home
  • Around 9.8% of Los Angeles residents take mass transit

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What’s the weather like in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles averages 284 sunny days per year. The U.S. average is 205 sunny days. If the weather is one of the key things you’d like to consider before moving to Los Angeles, you’ll be glad to know that the city has a sunny weather

  • Los Angeles averages 16 inches of rain a year. The U.S. average is 38 inches
  • Los Angeles averages 0 inches of snow per year. The U.S. average is 28 inches
  • Los Angeles gets 34 days of precipitation per year
  • Los Angeles summer high in July is around 84 degrees
  • Los Angeles winter low is around 46 degrees
moving to Los angeles

Top 10 reasons to move to Los Angeles

There are many reasons why moving to Los Angeles can be a great idea. Every year, thousands of people move to this magnificent city for many reasons.

We’ve collated 10 key reasons why the city is so appealing and why people are moving to Los Angeles:

  • Los Angeles is home to Hollywood
  • L.A. is a tech hub
  • There is a wide array of architectural styles in Los Angeles
  • Los Angeles pretty much have spectacular weather year-round
  • Los Angeles beautiful outdoors is breathtaking
  • Los Angeles is home to several pristine beaches
  • Los Angeles is one of the most diverse cities in the U.S.
  • Los Angeles has a great weather
  • Los Angeles is home to top-quality colleges and universities
  • Los Angeles is a great city for sports fan
Los Angeles pros and cons

Pros & Cons of moving to Los Angeles

How can you tell if moving to Los Angeles is right for you or not?

One of the easiest ways is to consider the pros and cons of moving to LA. So, we’ve collated the key pros and cons of moving to Los Angeles, to give you an idea of what to expect.

Pros of living in Los Angeles Cons of living in Los Angeles
World-class shopping is available in Los Angeles every dayTransportation is a nightmare in Los Angeles
You will find numerous outdoor activities to enjoy in Los AngelesIt is challenging to become a homeowner in the Los Angeles area
There are plenty of professional sports to enjoy in the cityYou will find an array of attitudes waiting for you in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has a great weatherThere is always the threat of an earthquake to think about in the city
There are numerous job opportunities to consider when living in LAThe cost of moving to Los Angeles is significant
You have plenty of coastline to explore when living in Los AngelesCrime is something that you will want to consider before moving to LA
Los Angeles offers a lifestyle that is relaxed if you allow it to beParking in Los Angeles can be beyond ridiculous at times
The diversity in the population of Los Angeles makes it a unique place to liveYou will face some stiff competition for the jobs that you want
The food scene in Los Angeles is incredibleThe neighborhoods in Los Angeles are spread far apart
Housing units have numerous features for you to enjoy without added costs
place to live Los Angeles

Best places to live in Los Angeles CA

Los Angeles is one of the best places to live in America. Moving to Los Angeles opens up the opportunity to live in several beautiful neighborhoods. Since you’re considering moving to Los Angeles, the following is a list of the best places to live in the city:

Rank City Population Median Income
1Hermosa Beach, CA19,539$136,702
2Redondo Beach, CA67,423$113,499
3Manhattan Beach, CA35,500$153,023
4Palos Verdes Estates, CA13,434$194,543
5San Marino, CA13,194$166,607
6Rancho Palos Verdes, CA42,030$138,557
7South Pasadena, CA25,661$104,308
8Rolling Hills Estates, CA8,169$150,135
9La Palma, CA15,604$107,724
10Malibu, CA12,620$150,747

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cost of living in Los Angeles

Cost of living if you’re moving to Los Angeles

The cost of living in Los Angeles is 173.3. The national average is 100. That means the average cost of living in Los Angeles is higher than the U.S. average.

Since you’re considering moving to Los Angeles, the following are the key things that add up to the city’s cost of living:

Living Expense Los Angeles California National Average
Overall148140100
Services115111100
Grocery116118100
Health112113100
Housing228196100
Utilities106118100
Transportation134128100

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Los Angeles housing market

Buying a home while moving to Los Angeles can be a great idea. The city houses some of the most beautiful homes in some of the most beautiful neighborhoods across the country. Since you’re considering moving to Los Angeles, here’s a quick breakdown of the city’s housing market:

  • Los Angeles median home cost is $883,400
  • Over the last 10 years, LA home values have risen by 114.2%
  • Home appreciation in LA is currently up by 16.7%
  • Around 58.5% of LA residents are renters
  • About 2.3% of homes and apartments in Los Angeles are open to rent

Los Angeles average home rent

There are more renters in Los Angeles than homeowners. If you’re interested in renting while moving to Los Angeles, the following are the city’s average rent:

  • The average rent of a studio apartment in Los Angeles is $1,370
  • The average rent of a 1-bedroom home or apartment in Los Angeles is $1,587
  • The average rent of a 2-bedroom home or apartment in Los Angeles is $2,023
  • The average rent of a 3-bedroom home or apartment in Los Angeles is $2,665
  • The average rent of a 4-bedroom home or apartment in Los Angeles is $2,903
jobs in Los Angeles

How is the job market in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is one of America’s international trade center and manufacturing center.

Also, Los Angeles is home to more than 244,000 businesses. Up to 22 Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Los Angeles. Even more, the city is home to more minority and women-owned businesses more than any other place in the country.

  • Los Angeles unemployment rate is 10.6%. The U.S. average is 6.0%
  • That Job Growth in Los Angeles has been Positive
  • Los Angeles jobs have grown by 0.7% over the past year

The following table shows the key metrics in Los Angeles job market:

Employment Information Los Angeles, California United States
The income per Cap$31,563$31,177
Household Income$54,501$57,652
Unemployment Rate10.66.0%
Recent Job Growth-12.21%-6.18%
Future Job Growth34.64%33.51%

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Top career options in Los Angeles

You’ll find lots of high-paying jobs if you’re moving to Los Angeles, CA. Making a list of the highest-paying jobs in the city is tricky. However, we’ve made a list of the ten highest-paying jobs in the city to give you an idea of what to expect if you’re moving to Los Angeles:

Rank Job Title Average Salary Entry Level Salary # OF PEOPLE
1Psychiatrists$252,080$127,3201,610
2Chief Executives$242,230$109,3409,830
3Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric$232,250$69,5409,230
4Obstetricians and Gynecologists$219,570$147,050470
5Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers$218,970$99,0605,590
6General Internal Medicine Physicians$203,940$119,4401,870
7Astronomers$201,920$79,830130
8Nurse Midwives$191,440$153,720260
9Surgeons, Except Ophthalmologists$185,580$96,0002,380
10Computer and Information Systems Managers$184,170$103,12022,790

What’s the median salary in Los Angeles?

How much will you most likely be earning if you’re moving to Los Angeles? One of the most effective ways to find out is to review what the city’s residents are earning on average. Let’s take a look:

  • Los Angeles average annual pay for average jobs is $68,118 a year
  • Los Angeles average hourly pay for average job is $32.75 an hour
  • Los Angeles average weekly pay for average job is $1,310 per week
  • Los Angeles average monthly pay for average job is $5,677 per month
  • Majority of salaries within the Average jobs range between $52,410 to $78,351

Major industries in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is home to some of the largest and leading industries in the United States. Moving to Los Angeles can make you stand a better chance of being a part of these various leading industries. From Hollywood to construction, bioscience and more. The following is a list of Los Angeles’ major industries:

  • Ocean economy
  • Advanced transportation
  • Information technology
  • Entertainment and digital media
  • Food manufacturing
  • Trade and logistics
  • Marketing, design, and publishing
  • Aerospace and defense
  • Film and television
  • Tech
  • Construction
  • Bioscience
  • Fashion, apparel and lifestyle
  • Hospitality and tourism
taxes in Los Angeles

California taxes

Taxes in California are rated among the highest in the United States.

Depending on where you’re moving from, moving to California will most likely mean paying more amount of money in taxes. Here’s a quick breakdown of California’s major taxes:

  • California Income tax is 1% - 13.3%
  • California sales tax: 7.25% - 10.75%
  • California property tax is 0.73% average effective rate
  • Gas tax is 51.10 cents per gallon of regular gasoline
  • Gas tax is 38.90 cents per gallon of diesel
Los Angeles things to do

Best things to do in Los Angeles

The number of things you can do to have fun in LA is almost endless.

Los Angeles is one of the most vibrant cities in America. Famous for being a tourist spot, moving to LA means you can enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities. The city’s great weather all year round makes it an amazing place for various activities.

  • Gaze into infinity at the Broad
  • Have a street food feast at Smorgasburg LA
  • Ride the tram up to the Getty Center
  • Practice your acceptance speech at the Academy Museum
  • Immerse yourself in Pipilotti Rist’s world at MOCA
  • Stroll through the stunning gardens at the Huntington Library
  • See L.A. from above at Griffith Park
  • Pedal around Echo Park Lake
  • Take your pup to the only off-leash beach, Rosie's Dog Beach
  • Have tacos and egg sandwiches from Grand Central Mar
  • Pose in front of streetlights at LACMA
  • Bike the Strand

How safe is Los Angeles?

Safety is always one of the big things to consider before making up your mind about moving to Los Angeles. We’ve collated key stats about the city’s crime rates to give you an idea of what to expect:

  • Residents have a 1 in 236.6 chance of being the victim of a violent crime in LA each year
  • Residents have a 1 in 42.0 chance of being the victim of a property crime in LA each year
  • Los Angeles violent crime rate 29.1. The U.S. average is 22.7
  • Los Angeles property crime rate is 29.1. The U.S. average is 35.4

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Statistic Count Raw Los Angeles/ 100k People California/ 100k People National/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K125,103,115.52,772.42,476.7
Murder2586.44.35.0
Robbery9,652240.4132.481.6
Aggravated Assault17,216428.7267.1250.2
Violent Crime29,400732.2441.2366.7
Burglary13,809343.9386.1340.5
Larceny66,2531,649.91,586.31,549.5
Car Theft15,642389.5358.8219.9
Property Crime95,7042,383.32,331.22,109.9
schools in Los Angeles

Best schools & universities in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is home to some of the best universities and colleges in United States.

The city is also home to some of the best elementary, middle, and high schools. If you’re interested in top-quality education, moving to Los Angeles is a great idea.

Best elementary schools in Los Angeles

  • KIPP Raices Academy
    Charter, K-4 | 574 students, Rating: 8/10

  • KIPP Iluminar Academy
    Charter, K-4 | 568 students, Rating: 8/10

  • KIPP Los Angeles College Preparatory
    Charter, 5-8 | 508 students, Rating: 8/10

  • Global Education Academy
    Charter, K-5 | 243 students, Rating: 8/10

  • Community Magnet Charter Elementary
    Charter, K-5 | 458 students, Rating: 8/10

Best middle schools in Los Angeles

  • KIPP Los Angeles College Preparatory
    Charter, 5-8 | 508 students, Rating: 8/10

  • Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies
    Public, 6-12 | 1,670 students, Rating: 8/10

  • Renaissance Arts Academy
    Charter, K-12 | 554 students, Rating: 8/10

  • New West Charter
    Charter, 6-12 | 887 students, Rating: 8/10

  • ISANA Palmati Academy
    Charter, K-8 | 408 students, Rating: 8/10

Best high schools in Los Angeles

  • Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High
    Public, 9-12 | 1,861 students, Rating: 8/10

  • Downtown Business High
    Public, 9-12 | 1,037 students, Rating: 8/10

  • L.A. County High School for the Arts
    Public, 9-12 | 542 students, Rating: 8/10

  • Middle College High
    Public, 9-12 | 404 students, Rating: 8/10

  • Orthopaedic Hospital
    Public, 9-12 | 839 students, Rating: 8/10

Best universities and colleges in Los Angeles

  • California Institute of Technology
    Students 1,014, WSJ/The College Ranking 12

  • University of Southern California
    Students 20,336, WSJ/The College Ranking 17

  • University of California, Los Angeles
    Students 30,815, WSJ/The College Ranking 28

  • Occidental College
    Students 2,206, WSJ/The College Ranking 102

  • Loyola Marymount University
    Students 6,588, WSJ/The College Ranking 109

  • Art Center College of Design
    Students 2,407, WSJ/The College Ranking 133

  • Otis College of Art and Design
    Students 1,086, WSJ/The College Ranking 206

  • Mount Saint Mary's University
    Students 2,862, WSJ/The College Ranking 256

  • Whittier College
    Students 1,744, WSJ/The College Ranking 306

  • California State University, Long Beach*
    Students 32,516, WSJ/The College Ranking 501

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