If you’re considering a move to Los Angeles, you’re probably hearing two very different stories:
- “LA is amazing — sunshine, beaches, exciting careers.”
- “LA is insanely expensive — traffic is awful, and rent is crazy.”
Both are true.
I move people to and from LA all the time, and I’ll tell you honestly: LA can be an incredible place to live if you go in with your eyes open. The biggest mistakes people make happen before they arrive—choosing the wrong neighborhood or underestimating the cost of living.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how I personally think about moving to Los Angeles with my clients.
What “Expensive” Really Means in Los Angeles
Let’s break “expensive” into real numbers so you can see where you might land.
Housing: The Big One
For most people, housing eats up the largest chunk of the budget. Here are approximate monthly rents (2024/2025 ranges):
Studio / 1-Bedroom Apartment
- Affordable Valley (Reseda, Lake Balboa): $1,700–$2,200
- Mid-Range (Koreatown, North Hollywood): $2,000–$2,800
- High-Demand (Santa Monica, WeHo): $2,700–$3,500+
2-Bedroom Apartment
- Valley (Northridge, Van Nuys): $2,400–$3,000
- Central LA (Hollywood, Culver City): $2,800–$3,800
- Westside (Santa Monica, Marina del Rey): $3,500–$4,800+
The Rule: Start with your realistic monthly housing budget and work backward into neighborhoods—not the other way around.
The "Invisible" Costs: Utilities & Commuting
Rent is obvious. What surprises people are the monthly extras.
Utilities
- Electricity/Gas: $80–$150/mo. (Significantly higher in the Valley during summer AC months).
- Internet: $60–$90/mo.
- Parking: Many buildings charge $50–$150/mo for a spot.
Transportation
Life without a car is doable but inconvenient.
- Gas: Typically $4.50–$5.50+ per gallon.
- Insurance: $120–$250/mo depending on your record.
- Traffic: A 10-mile drive can take 45 minutes. Distance is measured in time, not miles.
Breaking Down LA by Vibe
Saying you live "in LA" doesn't mean much. Living in Santa Monica vs. Northridge are completely different lifestyles.
1. The San Fernando Valley (The "Valley")
- Neighborhoods: Northridge, Reseda, Lake Balboa, Woodland Hills.
- Vibe: Suburban, strip malls with amazing food, single-family homes, scorching summers.
- Who fits: Families who want a yard, people who want more space for their money.
- See more on our Northridge or Woodland Hills pages.
2. The Westside
- Neighborhoods: Santa Monica, Venice, Brentwood, Culver City.
- Vibe: Coastal breeze, expensive, walkable, heavy traffic.
- Who fits: Tech/Media professionals, beach lovers, those with higher budgets.
3. Central LA & Hollywood
- Neighborhoods: Hollywood, West Hollywood (WeHo), Koreatown, Silver Lake.
- Vibe: Dense, loud, nightlife, creative energy, older buildings.
- Who fits: Young professionals, artists, people who want to be in the "mix."
4. The Eastside
- Neighborhoods: Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Atwater Village.
- Vibe: Hip, historic, hilly, creative, rapidly gentrifying.
- Who fits: Creatives who find the Westside too polished.
What Budget Do You Really Need?
I’m not a financial planner, but after moving hundreds of people, here is what feels "tight" vs. "comfortable" for a single person:
- Under $3,000/mo (Net): Tight. You will likely need roommates or a studio in the Valley.
- $3,000–$4,500/mo (Net): Doable. Modest solo living in cheaper areas, or nice shared living in central areas.
- $4,500–$6,000+/mo (Net): Comfortable. You have flexibility to choose neighborhoods based on vibe rather than just price.
How to Choose Your Spot
- Draw a Triangle: Connect your Work, your Gym/Hobbies, and your Friends/Family (if any). Try to live inside that triangle.
- Be Honest About Noise: If you hate noise, do not live in Koreatown or Hollywood. Look at the Valley or South Bay.
- Non-Negotiables: Do you need AC? (Yes, in the Valley). Do you need parking? (Yes, almost everywhere).
Making the Move Less Stressful
All of this is the planning side. Then there’s the physical reality: Packing, Loading, Driving.
That’s where my team at United Prime Van Lines comes in. We handle Long-Distance Moves into Los Angeles every day.
We help with:
- Timing: Avoiding rush-hour move-ins.
- Coordination: Handling elevator reservations and COIs.
- Parking: Navigating tight LA streets with a 26-foot truck.
Is Los Angeles Right For You? If you love sunshine, diverse culture, and don't mind driving—LA is incredible. If you need a slow pace and cheap rent, it might be a struggle.
From our side, we can’t choose your neighborhood for you, but we can make sure getting your belongings there is the easiest part of the journey.
