Cost of Moving to Los Angeles: Relocation Budget Calculator

Cost of moving to Los Angeles

How much money to have ready before you move to Los Angeles: the deposit, first month's rent, living costs until your first pay and a safety buffer, plus your own costs for the journey.

Cost	Amount
Rent deposit2 × monthly rent of $2,700	$5,400
First month's rentUsually paid when you sign	$2,700
Letting agent feeNone	$0
Living costs until your first pay1 month of food, transport and bills	$1,268
Emergency buffer3 months of all living costs	$11,904
Total	$21,272

Cost

Amount

Rent deposit2 × monthly rent of $2,700

$5,400

First month's rentUsually paid when you sign

$2,700

Letting agent feeNone

Living costs until your first pay1 month of food, transport and bills

$1,268

Emergency buffer3 months of all living costs

$11,904

Total

$21,272

Where the numbers come from

Rent and living costs for Los Angeles come from the same prices as its city page.

Starting estimate, no reports yet.

Rent is a 1-bedroom flat in the centre. Living costs cover food, eating out, transport, bills, going out and clothes. Full method

Questions

How much money do I need to move to Los Angeles?

For one person renting in the city centre, our default plan comes to about $21,000 before travel and moving costs: a two-month deposit, the first month's rent, one month of living costs until your first pay, and a three-month emergency buffer. Change any of these to match your situation.

How big is a rent deposit?

It depends on the country and the landlord. One to three months' rent is common; some places also charge an agent fee or a non-refundable fee to the landlord. Ask for the exact amount before you sign and put it in the calculator.

Why include an emergency buffer?

Moving often costs more than planned: a later start date, a delayed first salary, or a deposit refund that takes months to arrive. A few months of living costs set aside gives you time to sort these out.