16 Pros and Cons of Living in Los Angeles, CA

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The film, fashion, music, and excellent year-round weather are some of the major draws to the City of Angels!

Los Angeles is comprised of five counties, including Los Angeles, the largest county in the U.S., Orange, Riverside, Ventura, and San Bernardino.

Collectively, they make up the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, which boasts 13.2 million residents, making it the second largest U.S. city.

If the Los Angeles area were a state, it would be the 7th most populated in the U.S.!

That means many people are living there and for good reason.

If you are interested in moving to Los Angeles (LA), CA, it is important to understand the pros and cons.

Keep reading to learn more!

Pros of Living in Los Angeles

1. Always Activities

When living in the LA area, you will learn that it is difficult to stay home since there are always activities going on around you.

From festivals to concerts, art exhibits, museums, and the beach, there is never a shortage of things to do.

Having access to regular events is a major appeal to those looking to move to the city.

2. A City for Dreamers and Artists

LA is a city of dreamers, artists, and doers, which results in access to world-class entertainment options all year round, every day.

Due to the success of Hollywood, many move to LA to pursue non-traditional careers like performance arts, writing, acting, and a variety of other creative fields.

If you are questioning your 9-5 job and want to pursue something more creative on the side, LA is an excellent start due to the endless connections, opportunities, and like-minded individuals.

3. Easy to Find the Comforts of Home

Since LA is such a diverse city with a multicultural population, finding the comforts of home from wherever you come from is easy.

You can move to a neighborhood to live amongst those with similar ethnic backgrounds.

Many restaurants in that area will serve traditional foods, while local shops will sell items from across the world.

4. Endless Outdoor Opportunities

Those living in LA are surrounded by expansive deserts, picturesque mountains, and beautiful beaches, all just a car ride away.

Since the weather is pleasant year-round, you can enjoy all that nature has to offer since these natural locations are at your fingertips.

If you would like to venture further for hiking, camping, or other activities, you are just a stone’s throw away from California’s world-renowned parks.

5. Extensive Diversity

One of the best aspects of living in LA is the diversity.

As one of the most diverse cities in the U.S., LA has no ethnic majority with 48% of residents being Hispanic and 28% identifying as white.

With this diversity comes new ideas, cultures, and foods, while allowing you to meet a variety of interesting individuals.

6. Great Work-Life Balance

While other large cities like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco are grinding away at work during all hours of the day and night, living in Los Angeles is much more laid back.

This could be because the proximity to the beach reminds residents that they must keep their priorities straight and log off at a reasonable time.

Few streets will have residents in stuffy suits since a vast majority of the population does not work office jobs.

This creates an incredibly attractive work-life balance that you won’t find in most other places.

7. Incredible Food Scene

As the second largest U.S. city, it is unsurprising that LA is considered one of the top food cities in the U.S.

This is due to the diversity of food options ranging from delicious and cheap eats, as well as high-end Michelin-Star restaurants.

That means there is always a food option for every taste in the world!

8. Pleasant Weather Year-Round

One of the best aspects of living in LA is the pleasant weather you experience throughout the year.

In a city that averages 284 days of sunshine annually, it is difficult to complain or be in a bad mood.

This likely contributes to the laid-back attitude of the residents.

Winter temperatures average around 69F with summer temperatures ranging from 80-85F.

With such tolerable weather, you can enjoy outdoor activities year-round and sit outside at bars, cafes, and restaurants, regardless of the temperature.

Furthermore, despite its proximity to the ocean, LA does not get muggy or humid, which is a major perk for those who have to live in muggy cities.

Cons of Living in Los Angeles

1. Elevated Homelessness 

LA consistently ranks as one of the worst U.S. cities for homelessness.

As a resident, you cannot avoid seeing the terrible impact homelessness has on the individuals on the street and the surrounding community.

It is difficult to pinpoint the best solution for homelessness, but it is an important consideration when moving to the west coast.

Also, the discrepancy between the rich and the poor is evident in daily life.

2. Exorbitant State Taxes

With a state income tax of a whopping 13.3%, California has some of the highest taxes in the U.S.

When looking for a job and calculating your budget, this is a serious consideration if planning to move to LA.

This 13.3% will significantly cut your net income every paycheck.

3. Increasing Crime

Since LA has such a high population with a high cost of living and a high homelessness rate, crime is continuing to increase in the city.

With over 400 gangs amongst different ethnic communities in the city, drive-by shootings, robberies, and attacks on residents are continuing to increase.

While law enforcement efforts have increased to reduce gang activities, they cannot be everywhere all the time.

4. High Housing Costs

If you’re planning to move to LA and purchase a home, consider the $756,000 median home prices and one-bedroom apartments costing $2,370 per month.

This makes LA one of the most expensive cities in the U.S. to purchase a home.

In addition to purchasing or renting a property, daily life is expensive.

Expect to pay more for entertainment, haircuts, and groceries.

5. Poor Public Transit

If you plan to live in the LA area, you must have a car to get around town.

For a city this size, the lack of public transportation is shocking.

Unfortunately, mass transit options make it incredibly difficult to get from point A to point B, so a car is a must.

While the transit system is slowly improving, it is nowhere near cities like New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington DC.

6. Smog

One byproduct of traffic and congestion is smog.

Dry, hot days produce smog that is so bad that health officials advise you not to go outside.

This is a natural part of living in LA, and you will get used to air quality warnings.

Since LA sits between mountains and the ocean, the winds come off the ocean and trap the pollution from the millions of cars on the road instead of pushing it inland.

The result is heavy smog that settles over the city.

7. Terrible Traffic

The result of poor mass transit is significantly more cars on the road and some of the worst traffic in the U.S.

That means, you will want to live near your work unless you enjoy sitting in traffic for hours.

LA’s traffic is world-renowned because it is always ranked in the top 10 most congested cities in America, with approximately 103 hours per year spent in traffic, per person.

The small silver lining is you will learn to give yourself plenty of time to get around town.

8. Vast Distances Between Neighborhoods

In addition to having a poor mass transit system and terrible traffic, another major issue with LA is that the city spans over 500 square miles, which means vast distances between neighborhoods exist.

This adds to the number of hours spent in the car.

In addition to keeping your work and home as close as possible, you will also keep your social engagements nearby.

Pros and Cons of Living in Los Angeles, CA – Summary Table

Los Angeles Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Los Angeles Safety Review

Safety Index:

56

• OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
• MUGGING RISK: HIGH
• TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
• SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM