Is LA Better Than NYC?

By: ROS Team

Just like ice cream or drinks, cities also have unique flavors. Whether one city is better than another is entirely subjective it will vary depending on who you ask.

Los Angeles and New York City are both big cities that offer what most modern cities offer. Similarly, both have a unique flavor and a vibe all their own.

New York vs. Los Angeles Living

Many people wonder whether it’s better to live in one city or the other. Let’s take a look at both and compare them in terms of the cost of living.

1. House Prices

When you consider moving to a new place, house prices are usually the first thing that comes to mind. You might not be surprised to know that both cities are notoriously expensive places to live. However, NYC is more costly than L.A.

pricing

The average price for a house in LA is around $600,000. That same house would sell in the neighborhood of $1 million in NYC. Despite housing being pretty expensive in L.A., buying a home in NYC is far more costly. If you are not up for spending that kind of money on an average-sized house, L.A. might be a better option.

2. Crime Rate

NYC was once known for its high crime rate, but that’s no longer the case. Since the 90s, the crime rate in NYC has trended downward at a remarkable rate, and now NYC is considered one of the safest large cities in the U.S.

There is a higher crime rate in LA than in NYC. According to the 2021 reports, violent crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, LA scored 29.1, and NYC has 28.2. And, for property crimes, including burglary, theft, and arson, LA stood at 35.1 and NYC at 24.9.

Though LA leadership is working relentlessly to reduce the city’s crime rate, given the recent trends, New York City is a safer place to live.

Note: These numbers are ranked on a scale of 1 to 100, where 100 means high crime and 1 means low crime.

3. Transportation

How do you plan to go around the city? One of the significant differences between the two cities is how they utilize public transportation. If we talk of NYC, almost no one seems to like their private car; instead, they use the buses, subway, taxis, and ride-share services.

However, that does not mean that there is no problem with transportation in NYC. Though NY’s subway system is undoubtedly efficient, it is ancient. You would be frustrated by the delays and changes in schedules. And when it is coupled with overcrowding during rush hour and sometimes long journeys, you might feel a lot stressed. That’s why some people commute in public buses though it takes more time due to stoplights and traffic.

Almost similar factors can be noticed in LA, which makes the traffic in LA notoriously bad. Therein, if you don’t like to drive by yourself, you may opt to use the many ride-sharing services such as Uber. It is also cheap in Los Angeles.

4. Moving Cost

When it comes to the cost of public transport, LA is less expensive, but you will need to use your private car to get around. A Metro ride costs $1.75, while a bus ride will cost 50 cents per ride. A 30-day pass will cost $100, which includes most bus lines and the metro. Having said it all, you’ll need your transport to live in LA, and that’s where the costs can come in. If you incorporate expenses related to private transport like payments on a used car, gas, insurance, and monthly registration fee, you would be incurring as much as $500 a month in car expenses.

While in NYC, if you don’t run your private car, you would be incurring only a few hundred dollars a month. You may use an unlimited MetroCard which costs $127 a month, or a single ride on the subway will cost you $2.75.

In addition to it all, let us appreciate that New York is very walkable. In NYC, walking and public transit are a way of life. You can reach almost any point in the city without the need to drive. You would not feel any compulsion to buy a private car in NYC. So, you might not take a ride and just walk to your destination. When you take all of this into account, NYC is the cheaper option for transportation.

5. Weather Condition

Climate is one of the significant factors to consider before moving to a new city. The exciting thing is that both cities are different in this regard. NYC has four seasons, just like most East Coast cities. In NYC, winter is beautiful and chilling. You will almost see snowfall everywhere. On the other hand, the heat and humidity in summer can be downright oppressive. Fall is cooler and brings brilliant colors to the parks and streets in the city. In spring, there is a lot of rain with mild temperatures. What’s even better is that the city is not prone to wildfire or earthquakes.

On the other hand, the weather is considered by most as perfect in LA. You are almost going to witness a good time at the beach. In LA, it is a Mediterranean climate. You may expect rainy winters and dry summers. Even though the temperature drops to the 60s in winter, you will still find sun almost every day. While the unfortunate aspect is that wildfires and earthquakes are more common. You have to decide for yourself what you are looking for in the weather.

While L.A. is known for its sunny skies almost year-round, which means fun at the beach, unfortunately, L.A. is located in a region that frequently experiences wildfires and earthquakes. It’s up to you which climate you favor more.

6. Clothing cost

LA is a very minimalist city when it comes to fashion. LA is better for a relaxed fit as most of the people in LA prefer to dress casually. On the contrary, you’re expected to look your best when you head to work or go out in NYC. Black is the color of choice in clothing in NYC. That’s why clothing is a little more expensive in NYC, let alone considering the cost of shoes as all that walking wears shoes out fast. In LA, as you drive most of the time LA, you can expect your footwear to last much longer.

7. Job Opportunities

Both cities are ripe with job opportunities. NYC boasts a healthy finance sector, while L.A. has many job opportunities in the entertainment industry and technology. NYC has a high cost of living, but the silver lining is NYC has more high-paying jobs. Which city you choose largely depends on your background and what career field you work or want to work in.

8. Cuisine

Both cities offer rich and diverse cuisine options thanks to the diverse populations that live there. Food in LA grocery stores is cheaper than in NYC, but NYC is in a class by itself when it comes to restaurants. NYC cuisine is widely popular for more than just the flavor of its food–it’s also known for its diverseness. Within an NYC block, you could easily stumble upon a dozen or more different food genres. Make no mistake, L.A. does not lack when it comes to food options. You won’t be disappointed in either city when it comes to dining.

9. Lifestyle

This is where both cities have a lot to brag about. From top-rated restaurants and luxury living to great concerts and nightclubs, each city has its unique vibe when it comes to living in L.A. vs. NYC. New Yorkers tend to have a stronger work ethic. Many live based on the philosophy of “work hard, play hard.” On the other hand, L.A. has a much stronger laid back vibe. There tends to be a much more relaxed and easy-going vibe among L.A. residents.

10. Sense of Pride

Among many factors, one significant comparison you could draw between the two cities is how locals view their city. New Yorkers feel pride in their city and have a strong sense of solidarity. You might not expect it, but they show a surprising level of care for their communities and stay equally sensitive about local business. There is a string and unspoken altruism at the heart of the city. People always help one another in every way because they feel they are all together.

While in LA, this sense of pride is not so prevalent and elevated. People may still help each other and be kind on the streets, but it’s much harder to find a long-term friendship in LA. Having said it all, it does not imply that people in LA don’t love their city. It’s just that sense of belonging and pride isn’t nearly as realized as in NYC.

Above everything, real-born Angelenos and New Yorkers are convinced that their city is the greatest in the world. They firmly believe that they cannot fathom living anywhere else. They both are correct. Both LA and NYC are the greatest. It simply comes down to where you live.

Final Thoughts

Determining whether L.A. is better than NYC will solely depend on the person. Both cities are unique in their ways and may appeal to different populations for different reasons, so for this article, we won’t weigh in on that. What we will say, however, is that both cities are notoriously expensive to live in. Do your research to determine which city is the best fit for you.