City Comparison
Los Angeles vs Moscow
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Moscow scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Los Angeles
Moscow
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Moscow is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
125% higher compared to Los Angeles.
Housing costs are a major driver: Los Angeles's average rent is
63% higher than Moscow's.
| Metric | Los Angeles | Moscow | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,184 | $1,338 | +63% |
| Groceries | $450 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $231 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,015 | $1,338 | +125% |
| Cost Index | 149 | 111 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Moscow offers 36% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Moscow delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Los Angeles is estimated at
$61,558 vs $84,360 in Moscow.
| Metric | Los Angeles | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,651 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $61,558 | $84,360 |
| Purchasing Power | 32,652 idx | 68,468 idx |
| Household Income | $81,939 | $57,022 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Los Angeles | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Moscow has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Los Angeles.
Moscow scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Moscow leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Los Angeles | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 14 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Angeles is the larger city
— approximately 147x the population of Moscow.
From a growth perspective, Moscow is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Moscow has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Los Angeles | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,863,148 | 26,286 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 25.7 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 3.00% |
| GDP | $1,000.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, particularly in entertainment, healthcare, and technology sectors, offering varied job opportunities.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine, making it ideal for outdoor activities year-round.
Healthcare quality is high, with major institutions like LA General Medical Center receiving top safety grades and exceeding state benchmarks.
Los Angeles is a global cultural hub, offering a rich array of arts, dining, and entertainment options.
Homicides in Los Angeles decreased by 19% in 2025 compared to 2024, marking the lowest number since 1966.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly high, with housing expenses being 135% higher than the national average.
Los Angeles is a highly car-dependent city, leading to severe traffic congestion and long commute times, averaging 30 minutes.
The city's population is experiencing a slight annual decline, with a -0.15% growth rate projected for 2026.
Despite improvements, Los Angeles's safety score of 58/100 indicates a moderate crime rate, higher than the average U.S. city.
Utility costs in Los Angeles are 9% higher than the national average, adding to the overall expense of living.
Moscow
Advantages
High walkability score of 48, making many errands accessible on foot.
Short average commute time of 14.3 minutes, significantly below the national average.
Strong presence of the University of Idaho contributes to a vibrant cultural scene and job market.
Crime rates have seen a significant decrease, with violent crime rates well below the national average.
Rental prices are relatively affordable compared to national averages, despite a higher cost of living than the Idaho average.
Drawbacks
Median household income ($57,022) is below the national average.
Cost of living is 11% higher than the national average.
Limited public transit options contribute to a medium car dependency.
Job growth rate of 0.167% is modest.
Median age of 25.7 is significantly younger than the national average, which may not appeal to all demographics.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Los Angeles
#157California, USA
42.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,184
Avg Salary
$48,651
Cost Index
149
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
70
Business
75
Moscow
#72Idaho, USA
60.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,338
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
111
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
87
Business
65
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