The cost of living well in Los Angeles.

Our verdict. Los Angeles suits a family that wants a house rather than an apartment, a private school and the Pacific. Harvard-Westlake's upper school charges $54,900, a 65 ft slip at Long Beach about $19,700 a year, and Providence's tasting menu $495 a head. The weak point is tax: California taxes residents' worldwide income on top of the federal rate, for a combined top rate of 50.3% on income over $1 million. The Los Angeles Country Club's initiation is reported at about $250,000. Against Miami, the top rate is about thirteen points higher and the school costs a little less.

1. A prime family home, rented2026£91k

   US$121,946 a year · Average asking rent from Zumper listings, Brentwood (Los Angeles): USD 4.72 per sq ft a month x 2,153 sq ft (200 m²) x 12

   Zumper, Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA Rent Prices (rent research), October 2026

2. Senior school fees, two children2026-27£82k

   US$54,900 a year a child · Harvard-Westlake School tuition 2026-27 (upper school)

   Harvard-Westlake, Tuition information, 2026-27 academic year

3. Membership at a leading golf club—

   Published prices here date from 2023; ask us for a current figure.

4. A berth for a 20 m yacht2026£15k

   US$19,686 a year · Long Beach Marinas (City of Long Beach; Alamitos Bay, Shoreline, Rainbow Harbor), 65 ft slip monthly rate USD 1,640.53 x 12

   City of Long Beach, Long Beach Marinas, "Alamitos Bay Slip & Storage Rates - 2026" (rate flyer PDF), 2026 rate sheet

5. A full-time housekeeper or nanny2026£42k

   US$56,160 a year · Care.com average posted nanny rate, Los Angeles CA, USD 27.00/hr x 40 h x 52 weeks

   Care.com, Nannies in Los Angeles, CA, October 2026

6. Tasting menu for two, twice a month2026£18k

   US$990 a dinner · Providence (three Michelin stars), Chef's tasting menu USD 495 pp x 2, food only

   Providence, Dinner menus, Checked 20 Oct 2026

Figures are published prices, fees and surveys as dated, converted to pounds at the stated rates. They change, vary by home, school year and membership, and are a guide, not a quote. Nothing here is financial, tax or legal advice.

• London£322k+86%
• Monaco£313k+80%
• Dubai£307k+77%
• New York£255k+47%
• Hong Kong£208k+20%
• Miami£176k+2%
• Milan£171k−1%
• Paris£160k−8%
• Geneva£152k−12%
• Singapore£147k−15%
• Abu Dhabi£145k−16%
• Amsterdam£120k−31%
• Bangkok£112k−35%
• Riyadh£108k−38%
• Munich£104k−40%
• Manchester£95k−45%
• Lisbon£93k−46%
• Doha£89k−49%
• Muscat£80k−54%
• Marbella£78k−55%
• Phuket£70k−59%
• Jeddah£68k−61%
• Kuala Lumpur£59k−66%
• Manama£36k−79%
• Kuwait City£25k−86%

Pounds at ECB reference rates (Gulf currencies at their dollar pegs) rates of 2026-10-20.