Tempted to replace those California dreams with a New York state of mind? While it’s a popular leap, moving from Los Angeles to New York is no small feat, so let’s explore what you need to know before heading east to the city that never sleeps.
Whether you plan on moving out of state for a new career opportunity, a break from the intense California wildfires, or just a change in scenery, consider this your roadmap for moving from Los Angeles to New York. We’ll cover it all — from the climate differences and the housing market to the entertainment attractions and cost of living comparisons, so you can determine if a cross-country relocation makes sense for you.
LA vs. NYC: How Do They Compare?
On the surface, Los Angeles and New York City have numerous traits in common. As two of the largest urban centers in the U.S., both LA and NYC are known for their vibrant cultural scenes, world-class entertainment, lucrative job markets, and steep costs of living.
But the two cities are also studies in contrast. Los Angeles covers an enormous metropolitan area, whereas New York is built across five boroughs and a cluster of islands. LA embraces a relaxed West Coast lifestyle, while NYC is known for its brisk (sometimes, chaotic) energy. On that note, here’s a rundown of how to compare LA versus NYC.
What to Consider: | Los Angeles | New York City |
Population | ||
Population density | 8,234 per square mile | 27,999 per square mile |
Median age | 37 years old | 38 years old |
Median income | $80,366 per household | $79,713 per household |
Liveable wage | ||
Average home value | ||
Average rent | ||
Climate | Mediterranean | Subtropical |
General vibe | Sprawling, diverse, laidback, creative, beachy, health-conscious | Diverse, energetic, fast-paced, ambitious, full of innovation and entertainment |
Moving from Los Angeles to New York: 7 Factors to Keep in Mind
Ready to become a permanent New Yorker? Here are the main considerations to keep in mind when moving to New York from the sun-soaked, traffic-congested epicenter of Southern California.
1) The cost of living in NYC is steeper than the cost of living in LA
Los Angeles and New York are among the most expensive cities in the entire U.S. But when you compare LA versus NYC, the latter comes out pricier. The cost of living in NYC is 132% above the national average, compared to 50% in LA.
So if you think the cost of living in Los Angeles is steep, get ready because NYC is almost 21.6% percent higher. To put this into context, you’ll spend $1,814 more per month in New York to maintain the same quality of life you were able to afford on $8,400 in Los Angeles.
The elevated cost of living in both cities is due to factors such as inflated housing, utilities, and grocery costs, coupled with some of the nation’s highest state income taxes (13.3% in California and 10.9% in New York). But before moving cross-country, examine the disparities between the cost of living in Los Angeles versus New York to see what’s feasible.
2) The NYC rental market is more inflated than Los Angeles
Brace yourself for an expensive NYC rental market. A one-bedroom apartment here will cost you $5,481 per month, and a two-bedroom apartment will cost $7,631 per month. Meanwhile, LA’s rental market isn’t nearly as inflated—$2,557 per month for a one-bedroom apartment and $3,372 for a two-bedroom apartment per month.
Keep in mind: the average rent will also fluctuate based on where you live in New York. Certain NYC boroughs outside of Manhattan, such as Brooklyn or Queens, won’t cost quite as much— $4,205 and $4,171 per month, respectively.
3) The home values in NYC are less expensive than in Los Angeles
If you want to purchase a home after moving from Los Angeles to New York, this could be the right time to do it. Both housing markets are undeniably expensive, but New York’s is relatively cheaper. The average home value in NYC will set you back around $799,871—compared to the much higher price of $933,027 in LA.
4) The NYC job market has more robust career opportunities than LA
After a few rough years from the post-COVID economic slump, NYC’s job market is on the rebound again. With 4,240,800 private sector jobs (an 82,000 increase from 2024) and an employment rate of 4.9%, advancing your career is easier in New York than it likely would be in Los Angeles — especially considering LA’s unemployment rate is 6.4%.
Work commutes are also much smoother in NYC, due to an excellent public transit system that puts LA’s constant traffic to shame. However, there’s frequent overlap when you compare the main industries in LA versus NYC. Both are equally known for entertainment, media, fashion, tourism, hospitality, design, finance, education, and healthcare.
NYC has also emerged as a recent tech hub with its innovative “Silicon Alley” corridor in Lower Manhattan’s Flatiron District, which ranks second in the nation just behind Silicon Valley. Both New York and Los Angeles have comparable median starting salaries, too — but you can expect to earn slightly more in NYC ($73,950 versus $72,384 in LA).
Q: Is $70,000 a good salary in New York? A: $70,000 is relatively on par with the median annual salary in New York City. But it’s also important to think about the inflated cost of living in NYC. When you calculate all the basic monthly expenses — such as housing, food, transit, healthcare, and entertainment — a more realistic income to live comfortably in NYC will be upwards of $100,000. |
5) The NYC climate and weather are very different from what you’re used to in L.A.
New York has a subtropical climate with humid summers that hover between 80–90 degrees, followed by long, cold winters that can drop below 35 degrees. New Yorkers will enjoy about 224 days of sunshine with 47 inches of rain and 25 inches of snow per year.
Due to NYC’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, hurricanes are a concern (just ask anyone who faced Hurricane Sandy back in 2012). But overall, natural disasters are less common here than in California. You’ll also experience four distinct seasons — think: blustery autumns perfect for a warm pair of boots and breezy springs made for short sleeves with the occasional light jacket.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles has a more temperate Mediterranean climate with balmy 85-degree summers and short, mild winters that rarely drop below 45 degrees. LA boasts 284 days of sunshine with just 16 inches of rain and zero inches of snow per year. Angelenos used to the year-round “beach weather” in LA might find New York winters harsh at first — but the threat of wildfires, earthquakes, and mudslides is much lower in NYC.
6) The overall crime rate in NYC is currently higher than Los Angeles
Both New York City and Los Angeles are known for their elevated crime rates — but as of right now, NYC is in another stratosphere. The total amount of crimes in New York City exceeds the national average by 43%, compared to Los Angeles which is currently 4% above the national average.
In terms of violent crime, LA tends to be the worse of these two cities, whereas NYC ranks higher in property crime. But keep in mind that most crimes occur in small, concentrated pockets. Here are some of the safest NYC neighborhoods and a few areas you’ll want to be more cautious in.
Safer Neighborhoods in New York
Tribeca, Manhattan
Battery Park City, Manhattan
Chelsea, Manhattan
Higher Crime Areas in New York
East Harlem, Manhattan
Brownsville, Brooklyn
Mott Haven, The Bronx
7) The entertainment scene in NYC is just as vibrant as in LA
The famous landmarks, attractions, and nightlife hotspots in New York need no introduction. There’s a reason it tops the list of global travel destinations. Of course, LA is an entertainment capital in its own right — home to Hollywood film and TV studios, the Sunset Strip music scene, and cultural institutions like The Getty and LACMA. But NYC matches this energy with Times Square, Museum Mile, Broadway, and so much more.
If you’re a foodie, savor dim sum in Chinatown, pizza in Little Italy, nitro cold brew in Soho, and bagels in the Lower East Side. If you’re a creative soul, meander through exhibits of priceless artwork at MOMA and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or catch a new Broadway musical. If you’re a sports fan, cheer on the two-time NBA champion Knicks at Madison Square Garden. If you love the outdoors, stroll The Highline and explore the trails in Central Park. If you’re in the mood for nightlife, check out the piano bars in Greenwich Village, dance clubs in Chelsea, or rooftop lounges in Midtown. And that’s just scratching the surface!
Q: Should I move to New York from Los Angeles? A: If you can afford to increase your overall cost of living in NYC, there are many benefits of moving from Los Angeles to New York. The climate-related disasters are less frequent, the job market is more accessible, and the home values aren’t quite as expensive as they are in LA. Plus, you won’t sacrifice all the urban excitement you’re used to — NYC has tons of activities and attractions to keep you entertained. Just be aware of New York’s harsh winters and elevated crime rates. |
Moving From Los Angeles to New York: Your Options
Once you determine if moving from Los Angeles to New York is the ideal choice for you, let’s talk about how best to transport all your stuff over such a long distance. There are three primary moving services to consider for a cross-country trek — each with their own benefits, drawbacks, and price ranges. Here’s what to think about as you weigh your options.
DIY rental truck
The first option is to rent a moving truck, load it yourself, then drive the truck to your new home. This can be a budget-conscious way to move long-distance — but it also requires a significant amount of time and effort since it’s on you to tackle all the labor and transport. Not to mention, costs such as fuel, tolls, and travel accommodations along your route can increase the expense.
Moving container
If you need a less labor-intensive option, you can also rent a moving container. It’s pricier than a DIY truck rental — but it saves you the hassle of driving. The rental company will deliver a portable container to your home, then once you finish loading it, they’ll come back to retrieve the container and transport it to your final destination.
Full-service movers
Your third choice is hiring full-service movers to take care of the logistics for you. This is usually the most expensive option, but it’s undeniably also the most convenient solution. Not only will full-service movers load all of your boxes and furniture onto the truck, they’ll also transport everything to NYC, then unload it in your new home. And moving into a NYC residence can be especially tricky, with tight stairwells, narrow hallways, limited parking, and strict building rules to navigate. You can also tack on extra services such as packing and unpacking for an additional fee.
| Ready to make the move to New York City? Get a fast, free quote from Colonial. |
The Cost of Moving From Los Angeles to New York
Moving from Los Angeles to New York City is about the farthest distance you can relocate within the continental U.S.—2,776 miles, to be exact.
What motivates an Angeleno to take on this cross-country excursion and become a New York transplant? Maybe it’s to experience all four seasons (instead of just summer and wildfire season). Maybe it’s to swap out that notorious LA traffic for one of the nation’s most efficient and convenient public transit systems. Or maybe it’s to expand your career horizons in a lucrative job market with a lower unemployment rate.
Whatever the reason, let’s briefly touch on how much moving from Los Angeles to New York will actually cost.
Q: How much does it cost to move from Los Angeles to New York? A: Multiple factors can influence the total cost of moving from Los Angeles to New York such as the time of year, the size of your haul, and the tier of service you choose. But for the average two-bedroom household, expect to set aside $6,000-$7,000 for full-service movers when relocating from LA to NYC. |
Final Verdict: Is It Better to Live in LA vs. NYC?
Living in New York City is the better choice if you want unbeatable urban vibes with iconic attractions, dynamic career opportunities, a lively entertainment scene, and a respite from the intense climate-related disasters, traffic congestion, and elevated violent crime rates of Los Angeles.
But just like anywhere else, New York also has its share of pitfalls to consider. Here’s a quick recap of the main pros and cons of living in NYC versus LA.
Pros of moving from Los Angeles to New York:
The NYC job market is lucrative and robust.
Home values in NYC are cheaper than LA.
Living in NYC exposes you to all four seasons.
NYC has one of the best public transit systems in the world.
You’ll find top-notch entertainment in NYC.
You’ll probably spend much less time in traffic than you would in LA.
Cons of moving from Los Angeles to New York:
The NYC rental market is a lot higher than LA.
NYC has humid summers and harsh winters.
The cost of living in NYC is extremely inflated.
The crime rate in NYC is currently higher than LA.
Space is hard to come by — apartments are often small and pricey.
The cost of living in NYC is steeper overall.
You’ll have less access to outdoor recreation year-round.
The fast pace of life and sheer noise in NYC can be intense.
Parking and insurance rates make owning a car impractical and expensive.
Colonial Van Lines Will Handle Your Move in a New York Minute
If you’re drawn to an exhilarating urban lifestyle with thrilling entertainment options and booming career opportunities — and the inflated cost of living isn’t a deal-breaker for you — then moving from Los Angeles to New York could be a fantastic idea.
Of course, moving to a new area isn’t without its hassles, so when the time comes for your East Coast relocation, let Colonial Van Lines handle the logistics for you. With over 50 years of experience in long-distance moving services, our team of experts will tackle all the details — from packing and loading to transporting and unloading — for a smooth transition to your new home in the Big Apple. Contact us for a free quote today!