Salary guide · US
Software Engineer salary in Los Angeles: can you afford rent?
A Software Engineer in Los Angeles typically earns $82,000–$218,000/year, with a median around $129,000/year. Median 1-bedroom rent is $2,700/month.
Affordability verdict
At a typical Software Engineer salary of $129,000/year, spending on median Los Angeles rent ($2,700/mo) would take up 25% of gross income. That's within the recommended 30% threshold — a manageable situation.
Software Engineer salary range in Los Angeles
$82,000
Entry level
lower quartile
$129,000
Typical
median estimate
$218,000
Experienced
upper quartile
Software engineers design, build, and maintain applications and systems software. Figures are gross annual salary estimates for Los Angeles.
How much rent can a Software Engineer afford?
Rent landscape in Los Angeles
$1,500
Budget
cheapest 10%
$2,700
Median
most common
$4,500
Premium
top 10%
1-bedroom equivalent. US Census ACS 2023 + UCLA Lewis Center housing research · 2023–2024
Frequently asked questions
What does a Software Engineer earn in Los Angeles?
A Software Engineer in Los Angeles typically earns between $82,000 and $218,000/year, with a median around $129,000/year. Salaries vary by experience, employer, and sector.
Can a Software Engineer afford to live in Los Angeles?
At a typical Software Engineer salary of $129,000/year, median Los Angeles rent ($2,700/month) takes up 25% of gross income — within the recommended 30% threshold. Budget options in Los Angeles start around $1,500/month.
How much rent can a Software Engineer afford in Los Angeles?
On a median Software Engineer salary of $129,000/year, the recommended 30% rent budget is $3,225/month. Compared to Los Angeles's median rent of $2,700/month, this means median-priced accommodation is within reach.
Other professions in Los Angeles
Software Engineer salary in other cities