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Moving to Los Angeles in 2024? Complete Moving Guide

This is a complete guide for Moving to Los Angeles.
Get all the information you need to know about moving to Los Angeles.

Are you thinking of moving to Los Angeles?

Moving to a new city and giving your life a new beginning can be challenging. For an easy transition, you should prepare for your move and life in a city before moving there. You must be aware of the cost of living in the city and also the job opportunities if you are moving there for better employment. If you are moving to Los Angeles then you must know that the cost of living is relatively high and traffic is a major issue. The climate in Los Angeles is Mediterranean means there will be mild winters and warm dry summers. The city has a diverse population as people from around the world move here to live. Los Angeles has something for everyone, you can explore various tourist attractions in the city. But this much information is not sufficient if you are moving there. So, we have prepared a guide for you where you can learn everything about the city.

Quick Facts of Los Angeles

Let’s have a look at some facts about Los Angeles-

The nickname of Los Angeles is ‘The City of Angels, L.A., and Tinseltown.

Los Angeles is home to Hollywood, Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, Griffith Observatory and more.

It is the second most populous city in the US.

The city is home to the largest Hispanic population in the US.

Los Angeles is highly diverse city in the US and more than 180 languages are spoken here.

The city is home to the world’s largest entertainment industry Hollywood.

Summer Olympics was hosted by Los Angeles in 1932 and 1984.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is in Los Angeles. This features more than 2,600 stars honoring celebrities from various industries.

The city is home to the La Brea Tar Pits which is a famous paleontological site. More than 3.5 million fossils were discovered at this site.

There are more than 100 museums in Los Angeles.

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Top reasons to move to Los Angeles

Moving is a big step when you move to a new state or new city, then there must be something special in that city or state. If you are planning to move to Los Angeles, then you must have valid reasons to move there-

Cultural Diversity- Los Angeles is one of the most diverse cities in the US with people from around the world living here. The cultural diversity is reflected through different languages spoken. The city has a huge number of Hispanic, Asian, American and African populations.

Economy- The Los Angeles economy is diverse with various industries flourishing with employment opportunities. Major industries in Los Angeles include tourism, aerospace, technology, and manufacturing.

World’s Entertainment Capital- Los Angeles is considered the World’s Entertainment Capital as it is home to Hollywood. It is also known for live theatres, music scenes, and the television industry.

Climate- Los Angeles experiences a Mediterranean climate in which the city has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

Education system- The city is home to several world-class colleges and universities including the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Southern California (USC). The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is also located in Los Angeles.

Recreational activities- Moving to Los Angeles means you will be enjoying unlimited outdoor activities including activities on beaches, mountains and parks.

Food- The food scene in Los Angeles is thriving as restaurants across the city are serving all kinds of food from traditional American cuisine to international dishes.

Nightlife- Enjoy the vibrant nightlife of Los Angeles with several bars, clubs and more for all types of preferences.

Transportation system- The transportation system in Los Angeles is comprehensive as it includes buses, trains and taxis. You can also go for ride-sharing services and self-driving.

Source: U.S. News & World Report

Pros & Cons of Living in Los Angeles

When you move to a new city, you have no idea what is best there and what you should avoid. So, in this section of our guide we have listed all the pros and cons of living in Los Angeles-

Pros of living in Los Angeles	Cons of Living in Los Angeles
City experiences warm, dry summers with mild, wet winters. The weather remains sunny for around 284 days	High cost of living with expensive housing, food and transportation
City is culturally diverse with people from around the world and has several museums, theaters, etc. to explore the cultures	Public transportation system is not extensive like in other major cities in the state
Los Angeles is home to several top colleges and universities	Traffic congestion is a major issue that affect commuting
This is economic hub with various types of industries	Air pollution is affecting health and is rising as a concern for residents
There is something for everyone to spend their free time	There is a large population which is homeless

Source: Forbes and U.S. News & World Report

Tip: When you've got a home to move in Los Angeles, getting the best moving quote will be your goal. Request moving company quotes to save on moving cost.

Best Neighborhoods in the Los Angeles

When you move to a new city, you struggle to find a perfect neighborhood where you can make your home. A place where you feel safe, homely and happy. To save you time and energy, we have listed some best neighborhoods in Los Angeles.

Santa Monica- This neighborhood has a vibrant downtown area and there are variety of shops, bars, restaurants and more. This locality is home to the Third Street Promenade and the Santa Monica Pier.

West Hollywood- This is a trendy neighborhood with vibrant culture. You can explore nightclubs, bars, and restaurants and enjoy music night on the Sunset Strip.

Venice Beach- If you are looking for a neighborhood with artists and hippies everywhere, then this is the perfect neighborhood for you. Venice Beach is a beachfront boardwalk.

Beverly Hills- If you are looking for a neighborhood with high-end boutiques, and restaurants, then this is the right destination for you.

Silver Lake- A trendy neighborhood with a variety of vintage clothing stores, restaurants, and more.

Los Feliz- This type of neighborhood has several bookstores, coffee shops and restaurants. The locality is known for Griffith Park

Pasadena- This neighborhood is home to the annual Tournament of Rose Parade and the UCLA Bruins football team. This is one of the wealthy neighborhoods with several museums, theatres and more.

Cost of living in Los Angeles

The cost of living in Los Angeles is very high and it is ranked as the 10th most expensive city in the US. The cost of living in any location depends on several parameters like lifestyle, neighborhood and basic expenses.

Before moving to a new city or state you must know the cost of living of the location as it will help you set your moving budget. We have compiled the data related to the cost of living in Los Angeles-

Expense	Average Cost
Rent	$2,170 per month
Utilities	$200 per month
Food	$384 per month
Transportation	$100 per month
Healthcare	$653 per month
Other expenses (entertainment, clothing, etc.)	$300 per month

Source: Zumper and Numbeo

Housing Market in Los Angeles

The housing market in Los Angeles is competitive and the housing prices are high while the inventory is low. The median home price in Los Angeles is $983,000 which is 2.4% higher than the last year. Recently, there has been a decline in the number of houses available for sale and new listing has also declined.

Average rental cost in Los Angeles

The average rent for a house in Los Angeles ranges between $1,795 and $2,995. The cost of rent depends on the size of the house as well as the location. The values mentioned here are only average costs, and the actual cost may vary as it depends on several other factors.

Source: Zumper

Los Angeles job market

The job market in Los Angeles is strong and diverse as multiple industries are offering many job opportunities at different scales. The unemployment rate in Los Angeles is lower than the national average. The job market in Los Angeles is estimated to flourish in the coming years and there will be 2.3 million new jobs by 2030.

Currently, the unemployment rate in Los Angeles is 4.9% which is lower than the national average. If you are moving here, find the best industry to start or switch your career.

Top Career Options in Los Angeles

Before moving to Los Angeles, it is better to learn about the leading industries and top career options in the state. We have listed some career options for your reference along with their average salary and entry-level salary.

Career	Average salary	Entry-Level Salary	Total number of employees
Software Engineer	$134,139	$97,761	100,000+
Registered Nurse	$114,790	$72,790	100,000+
Accountant	$80,930	$57,300	100,000+
Customer Service Representative	$46,046	$34,520	100,000+
Sales Representative	$58,990	$44,210	100,000+
Teacher	$69,670	$52,250	100,000+
Data Analyst	$77,670	$55,890	100,000+
Marketing Manager	$69,845	$52,880	100,000+
Human Resources Manager	$75,843	$57,880	100,000+
Warehouse Associate	$30,000	$24,000	100,000+
Junior Data Analyst	$52,880	$41,180	100,000+

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Median Salary in Los Angeles

The median salary in Los Angeles is $67,882 and this is higher than the national average median salary which is $34,808.

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Major industries in Los Angeles

Before picking up a career option, you should know about the industries which are flourishing in the city. Several industries are offering high-paying jobs to newcomers and residents.

Technology

Manufacturing

Healthcare

Retail

Education

Sales

Human Resources

Data Analysis

Arts and Entertainment

Best things to do in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a vibrant city that offers something to everyone. Still, you need to decide what you want to do-

Go for a Walk to the Hollywood Walk of Fame and explore the sidewalks with 2,700 stars embedded in the concrete. Each start is dedicated to the entertainment industry celebrity.

Visit Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park and enjoy the stunning views of the city and Hollywood Sign.

Enjoy rides and attractions based on popular movies and TV shows at Universal Studio Hollywood. This is a theme park and film studio located in Universal City.

If you want to explore European art and culture, then visit the Getty Center. Here you can explore European paintings, sculptures, illuminated manuscripts and more.

One of the most iconic destinations of Los Angeles is the Hollywood Sign. You can go for a hike to reach the sign through hike trails.

Enjoy an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants and street performances at Venice Beach

Source: Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board: https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/

Education System in Los Angeles

When you relocate with children, your one of the major concerns is their education. Whether the new city will provide quality education for their better future or not. So, we decided to simplify the search for top schools and colleges for your children’s education-

Elementary schools in Los Angeles
Cahuenga Elementary School, Studio City
Melrose Elementary School, Hollywood
Elysian Heights Elementary Arts Magnet, Elysian Valley
Point Vicente Elementary School, Palos Verdes Estates
Canyon Charter Elementary School, Santa Clarita

Middle Schools in Los Angeles
King Middle School, Playa Vista
Camino Real Middle School, Woodland Hills
Walter Reed Middel School, North Hollywood
Oakwood School, Sherman Oaks
Portola Middle School, Tarzana

High Schools in Los Angeles
California Academy of Mathematics and Science, Carson
University High School, West Los Angeles
Granada Hills Charter High School, Granada Hills
Palisades Charter High School, Pacific Palisades
Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies, Los Angeles

Colleges & Universities in Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Westwood
University of Southern California (USC), University Park
California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena
Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles (LMU), Westchester
Occidental College, Eagle Rock

Source: Niche

Transportation & Navigation in Los Angeles

The transportation system in Los Angeles is comprehensive which means the public transportation system includes buses, trains and taxis. There are several options for public transportation, private transportation and for navigating around the city.

Public transportation- It is operated by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). It includes a variety of services like buses, light rail, and trains. The most popular way to get around is by Metro Rail which covers a large portion of the city. You will need a TAP card in Los Angeles if you want to use public transport in Los Angeles.

Private Transportation- If you are not interested in commuting via public transport, you can always opt for private transport like taxis, car rentals and ride-hailing services. Most people prefer to commute in their vehicle which results in heavy traffic during rush house. Traffic congestion is a major concern in Los Angeles.

Navigation- One of the major issues is how to get around the city. We understand that finding a place in the new city is challenging. There are several ways to navigate Los Angeles like using a map, a GPS device, a public transportation app or you can ask the directions.

Source: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)

Type of insurance required in Los Angeles

Most states have some laws related to insurance as they have mandated a few insurances for each resident. Moving to Los Angeles means you have to follow all the guidelines related to insurance in Los Angeles.

Auto Insurance- All the residents of the city are required to have auto insurance with a minimum coverage requirement of $15,000 for injury or death to one person and $30,000 for more than one person. And $5,000 for the damage to the property.

Homeowner’s Insurance- This type of insurance protects your house and household belongings from any mishaps like theft, fire, or other type of damages. This is required by most of the mortgage lenders.

Renter’s Insurance- This type of insurance is not required by law but it is recommended. This insurance will protect your belongings from damage or loss in the rental house or apartment.

Life Insurance- This type of insurance will provide support to your family in the event of your death.

Health Insurance- This type of insurance will support you in managing your medical expenses.

Worker’s Compensation- In California, it is mandatory for businesses to have worker’s compensation. The purpose of this insurance is to provide support to employees who get injured during work.

Umbrella Insurance- This type of insurance will provide additional liability coverage beyond the coverage included in your insurance policies.

Discuss with your insurance provider about the insurance that is right for you.

Source: California Department of Insurance: https://www.insurance.ca.gov/

Taxes in Los Angeles

Taxes contribute a major amount to the cost of living. If you are planning to relocate to Los Angeles, learn about the taxes applicable in Los Angeles-

Income Tax- Los Angeles has progressive income tax with tax rates ranging between 1% to 13.3%. The amount of tax depends on the taxable income.

Sales Tax- The sales tax rate is 10.25% in Los Angeles which is the combined rate of the California state sales tax and the Los Angeles County Sales Tax.

Property Tax- The property tax in Los Angeles is accessed and evaluated by the local authorities. The average rate for property tax in Los Angeles is 0.73%.

Use Tax- This type of tax is applied on purchases made outside of California but are used in the state. The us tax rate is 10.25% in Los Angeles.

Vehicle License Fee- This is a tax on all vehicles registered in California. The value of your vehicle decides the amount of the vehicle registration fee.

There are taxes on fuel, cigarettes and alcohol in Los Angeles. Other than these, some other taxes are also applicable in Los Angeles like special district tax and business tax.

Source: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration: https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this guide is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. It is recommended to conduct thorough research and consult relevant experts before making any decisions related to relocation.

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