Cost of living

There is a big difference in affordability between these two cities. Even though both SF and LA have a high cost of living, LA is far more affordable, beating San Francisco by around 35%. Meaning that for the same standard you get with a $50,000 income in LA, San Franisco requires you to make approximately $70,000. Consumer prices are around 20% higher than in LA, and average groceries are 30% more expensive in SF, with utilities being 15% higher than in LA and transportation 7% more expensive.

Housing

Let’s start with the California median home price of $800,000 to compare. The average home price in The Golden State goes up to $1.5 million, while for the same apartment, prices go lower than the California median price, and they stand at around $700,000.

Job opportunities

They don’t call it a City where dreams come true for nothing. LA’s entertainment industry has been the biggest one in the world for a while now, and it doesn’t seem like it will change any time soon. The world’s entertainment capital offers careers in film, modeling, show business, and television. But they don’t stop there; on top of entertainment, Los Angeles has a high number of employments annually in tourism, technology, education, hospitality, and health care. All that with an average salary pay of $5,200 monthly.

Education

LA doesn’t only have popular movie titles, models, and actors; it is also home to some of the best higher education systems, not only in the country but worldwide. UCLA, Loyola Marymount University, and Pepperdine University are only a few in the sea of 106 colleges offering college sports education, making this city a sports city. When it comes to elementary education, prices do go higher within a better school neighborhood, but most of the children go to public schools.

Transportation

The most significant difference between SF and LA is in transportation. In Los Angeles, people love to drive, which might need some getting used to if you’re moving from San Francisco. In LA, Ubers are also cheaper, and since it is so spread out, it is easier to get in your car and reach your destination faster than you would with a bus. But of course, you can also try The WaterBus, The Metro Rail E Line, and other shuttle services if you don’t have a car.

Diversity

More than 100 languages are spoken in LA. Being close to the Mexican border, LA is influenced by its neighbors, providing the area with rich cultural diversity. You can notice these cultural influences in the cuisine, festivals, events, sports, and movies. And with every step you take, you’ll be surrounded by something new. Since people say wealth lies in cultural richness, you’ll be one of the wealthiest people alive. LA has it all; it is a mix of culture, art, history, entertainment, sport, and a healthy lifestyle in one, all with a high standard. In the same city, you can go to a Lakers game, visit Hollywood, go to Disneyland, or take a picture of the stars at the Walk of Fame. On a more relaxing day, you can go biking, surfing, or even on a road trip.