Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Los Angeles, CA
VS
West Palm Beach, FL
🏆 West Palm Beach leads 16 of 22 categories
Los Angeles
California
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$76,244 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
192⚠ High
Population
3,881,041 ✓ Larger
West Palm Beach
Florida
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,044
Violent Crime Index
152⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
117,588
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Los Angeles, CA
Pros
Households earn $12,200 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 78°F vs 90°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $822,600
Violent crime (728.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Higher unemployment (7.7% vs 6.2%)
West Palm Beach, FL
Pros
Homes cost $498k less ($324,800 vs $822,600)
21% less violent crime than Los Angeles
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (6.2%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Rent averages $177/mo less ($1,614 vs $1,791)
Milder winters — January highs near 75°F vs 67°F
Cons
Violent crime (575.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Los Angeles by $12,200/yr
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Key Differences at a Glance
Los Angeles
Median Income
$12,200
$76,244 vs $64,044/yr
West Palm Beach
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 111.8 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
West Palm Beach
Violent Crime
21% lower
575.8 vs 728.5 per 100k
West Palm Beach
Median Home Value
$498k less
$324,800 vs $822,600
West Palm Beach
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
6.2% vs 7.7% unemployment
West Palm Beach
Summer Heat
12.0°F warmer
July avg high 90.0°F vs 78.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | West Palm Beach, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 111.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $822,600⚠ High | $324,800⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,791⚠ High | $1,614⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $76,244 ✓ Higher | $64,044 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7%⚠ High | 6.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High | 23.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 15.1% ✓ Higher | 11.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 143⚠ High | 132⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 192⚠ High | 152⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 71 ✓ Safer | 102⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.2:1 | 16.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 36.7% | 37.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 78.7% | 86.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Los Angeles Unified | PALM BEACH |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 66.6°F | 74.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 78.0°F | 90.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 14.1" ✓ Drier | 61.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 3,881,041 ✓ Larger | 117,588 |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 40.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.6% | 49.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.7% ✓ More | 17.6% |
| Over 65 | 13.4% | 19.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Los Angeles's cost of living index is 115.5 vs West Palm Beach's 111.8 (US average = 100).
West Palm Beach is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, West Palm Beach leads 16 of 22 categories. Los Angeles wins 6 and West Palm Beach wins 16. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Los Angeles to West Palm Beach or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($822,600 vs $324,800 median home), income ($76,244 vs $64,044), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Los Angeles, CA and West Palm Beach, FL are about 2,323 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.