Salary vs rent · Los Angeles

$70,000 salary in Los Angeles: how much rent can you afford?

On $70,000/year your monthly take-home budget (gross) is $5,833/month. The median rent in Los Angeles is $2,700, which would take 46.3% of your income — Risky.

Your monthly rent budget

Comfortable (25%)up to $1,458/mo
Manageable (30%)up to $1,750/mo
Stretch (35%)up to $2,042/mo
Risky (45%)up to $2,625/mo

Rent landscape in Los Angeles

$1,500

25.7% of your salary

Budget rent

$2,700

46.3% of your salary

Typical rent

$4,500

77.1% of your salary

High-end rent

Renters in Los Angeles typically spend 2852% of income on rent. At $70,000/year, you have limited room to cover the median rent comfortably.

Check with your actual rent →

Data confidence: medium · US Census ACS 2023 + UCLA Lewis Center housing research · 2023–2024

Frequently asked questions

How much rent can I afford on $70,000/year in Los Angeles?

On $70,000/year ($5,833/month), a comfortable rent budget at 30% of gross income is $1,750/month. At the stricter 25% threshold, you should aim for no more than $1,458/month. Median rent in Los Angeles is $2,700/month.

Is $70,000/year a good salary in Los Angeles?

$70,000/year compares to a Los Angeles median household income of around $85,263/year. At this salary, median Los Angeles rent ($2,700/month) would take 46% of gross income — well above the 30% guideline.

What percentage of salary should go to rent in Los Angeles?

Financial advisors typically recommend spending no more than 30% of gross income on rent. In Los Angeles, where the typical renter spends 38% of income on rent, many residents find the 30% target difficult to achieve. On $70,000/year, keeping rent at 30% means a maximum of $1,750/month.

Other salaries in Los Angeles

$30,000 salary in Los Angeles$50,000 salary in Los Angeles$100,000 salary in Los Angeles$140,000 salary in Los Angeles

More for this city

Cost of living guide: Los AngelesCan I afford $2,000 rent in Los Angeles?Can I afford $2,750 rent in Los Angeles?