📊 Lifestyle Match
Visualizing the tradeoffs between Coeur d'Alene and Los Angeles
Head-to-Head Analysis
Coeur d'Alene vs Los Angeles
Detailed breakdown of cost of living, income potential, and lifestyle metrics.
📋 The Details
Line-by-line data comparison.
| Category / Metric | Coeur d'Alene | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Overview | ||
| Median Income | $70,845 | $79,701 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 5.5% |
| Housing Market | ||
| Median Home Price | $592,500 | $1,002,500 |
| Price per SqFt | $314 | $616 |
| Monthly Rent (1BR) | $1,042 | $2,006 |
| Housing Cost Index | 111.0 | 173.0 |
| Cost of Living | ||
| Groceries Index | 94.6 | 107.9 |
| Gas Price (Gallon) | $3.40 | $3.98 |
| Safety & Lifestyle | ||
| Violent Crime (per 100k) | 242.6 | 732.5 |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.5% | 39.2% |
| Air Quality (AQI) | 68 | 52 |
Expert Verdict
AI-generated analysis based on current data.
Los Angeles vs. Coeur d'Alene: The Ultimate Head-to-Head Showdown
Welcome to the ultimate clash of cultures, climates, and cost of living. On one side, we have the City of Angels—Los Angeles, a sprawling, sun-drenched metropolis where dreams are manufactured on soundstages and traffic jams are a way of life. On the other, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho—a postcard-perfect lakeside town nestled in the mountains, offering a slower pace and a tighter community.
Choosing between these two is like deciding between a high-octane espresso shot and a slow-brewed herbal tea. One jolts you awake with endless possibility; the other soothes your soul with natural beauty. As your relocation expert, I’ve crunched the numbers, weighed the vibes, and lived the lifestyles (virtually, at least) to help you decide where to plant your roots. Let’s dive in.
The Vibe Check: Fast-Paced Metro vs. Laid-Back Adventure
Los Angeles is a beast of its own making. It’s not one city; it’s a collection of distinct neighborhoods, each with its own personality. You’ve got the surf culture of Santa Monica, the gritty creativity of Silver Lake, the glitz of Beverly Hills, and the family-friendly suburbs of the San Fernando Valley. The vibe here is ambitious, diverse, and perpetually in motion. It’s a city for the hustlers, the artists, the dreamers, and those who thrive on energy and anonymity. If your career is in entertainment, tech, international business, or any industry that values networking and scale, LA is your playground. However, be prepared for a lifestyle that revolves around your car and your calendar.
Coeur d'Alene (pronounced "Core-da-Lane") is the antithesis. It’s a small town with big-city amenities, but its heart is the great outdoors. The vibe is unpretentious, community-oriented, and deeply connected to nature. The downtown core is walkable, lined with local shops and cafes, and the lake is the town’s centerpiece. Life here moves at the pace of a sunset over the water. It’s ideal for those seeking work-life balance, outdoor enthusiasts (hikers, bikers, boaters), and families looking for a safer, tighter-knit environment. It’s not a place for the nightlife seeker or the industry climber, but it’s paradise for those who value quality of life over sheer quantity of options.
Who is each city for?
- Los Angeles is for the ambitious careerist, the creative, the foodie, and the urban explorer who doesn’t mind traffic for world-class amenities.
- Coeur d'Alene is for the outdoors lover, the remote worker, the retiree, and the family prioritizing safety and community over a bustling metropolis.
The Dollar Power: Where Does Your Salary Actually Go?
This is where the rubber meets the road. Let’s talk purchasing power. We’ll assume a hypothetical salary of $100,000 to illustrate the difference.
Los Angeles will hit you with immediate "sticker shock." Your take-home pay after California’s state income tax (which can be up to 12.3% for this bracket) and federal taxes will be roughly $70,000. Suddenly, that six-figure salary doesn’t stretch as far. The cost of living is 73% higher than the national average (Housing Index: 173.0). A simple grocery run, a tank of gas, or a dinner out will cost significantly more.
Coeur d'Alene, while no longer the hidden bargain it once was, offers remarkable purchasing power. Idaho has a flat state income tax of 6.5%, which is a major advantage. On that same $100,000 salary, your take-home is closer to $74,000. More importantly, the cost of living is only 11% higher than the national average (Housing Index: 111.0). Your dollars go further, especially when it comes to housing and daily expenses.
Here’s a head-to-head breakdown:
Cost of Living Comparison Table
| Category | Los Angeles | Coeur d'Alene | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $1,002,500 | $592,500 | Coeur d'Alene |
| Rent (1BR) | $2,006 | $1,042 | Coeur d'Alene |
| Housing Index | 173.0 | 111.0 | Coeur d'Alene |
| Median Income | $79,701 | $70,845 | Slight Edge: LA |
| Violent Crime (per 100k) | 732.5 | 242.6 | Coeur d'Alene |
The Purchasing Power Verdict: If you earn $100,000 or less, your quality of life in terms of housing and daily expenses will be dramatically higher in Coeur d'Alene. You can afford a home, a yard, and a car payment without being house-poor. In LA, that same salary puts you in a competitive rental market, likely with roommates, and a long commute. LA only makes financial sense if your income is significantly higher (think $150,000+) or if you’re in an industry where being physically present in LA is a non-negotiable career accelerator.
The Housing Market: The Great Divide
This is the single biggest factor for most movers.
Los Angeles: The Seller’s Marathon
The LA housing market is one of the most competitive in the nation. With a median home price over $1 million, it’s a market for high earners, investors, or those with generational wealth. Renting is the default for most, and competition for decent apartments is fierce. You’re not just paying for square footage; you’re paying for location, weather, and access to the LA ecosystem. The "starter home" is largely a myth here. If you’re looking to buy, be prepared for bidding wars, all-cash offers, and compromises on size or location.
Coeur d'Alene: The Competitive Buyer’s Market
Coeur d'Alene’s market has heated up dramatically due to an influx of remote workers and retirees, but it’s still a different universe from LA. The median home price is under $600,000, and you can find single-family homes with yards for that price. It’s a seller’s market in the sense that inventory can be low, but the financial barrier to entry is much lower. Renting is more affordable and less cutthroat, though vacancy rates are tight. The big advantage here is the ability to actually build equity. In LA, your mortgage is a monthly anchor; in Coeur d'Alene, it’s an investment in a tangible asset.
The Dealbreakers: Quality of Life
Traffic & Commute
Los Angeles: This is a non-negotiable part of life. The average commute is 29 minutes, but that’s a best-case scenario. In reality, a 10-mile trip can take an hour. You will spend a significant portion of your life in your car. Public transit exists but is often not practical for daily cross-town commutes. This is a major lifestyle tax.
Coeur d'Alene: Traffic is a minor inconvenience, not a defining feature. The town is small and easy to navigate. A 15-minute commute is typical, even for those working in neighboring Spokane, WA (a 30-40 minute drive). This reclaims hours of your week for family, hobbies, or just relaxation.
Weather
Los Angeles: The data point of 54°F is misleading; that’s the annual average. The reality is near-perfect Mediterranean weather: sunny, low humidity, and a year-round growing season. Summers are warm (85-90°F) but dry, and winters are mild (60°F). The biggest downside is the lack of seasons and the persistent marine layer (morning clouds) near the coast.
Coeur d'Alene: Be prepared for four distinct and dramatic seasons. The data point of 34°F is the annual average, which means cold winters with regular snowfall (40-50 inches annually). Summers are glorious—sunny, dry, and warm (80-85°F). If you love autumn colors and winter sports, this is paradise. If you hate shoveling snow and driving in ice, it’s a dealbreaker.
Crime & Safety
The data is clear and stark. Coeur d'Alene is significantly safer, with a violent crime rate of 242.6 per 100k residents—closer to the national average. Los Angeles, at 732.5 per 100k, has a rate more than triple that of Coeur d'Alene and well above the U.S. average. While crime is highly localized in LA (some neighborhoods are very safe, others less so), the overall statistical reality is that Coeur d'Alene offers a much safer environment, especially for families and those concerned with personal security.
The Final Verdict
There is no universal winner, only the right city for your specific life chapter.
Winner for Families
Coeur d'Alene. The combination of lower cost of living, significantly lower crime rates, excellent outdoor recreation, and a strong sense of community makes it a haven for raising children. You can afford a home with a yard, and your kids can play outside with more freedom. The school district is well-regarded, and the pace of life is more conducive to family time.
Winner for Singles & Young Professionals
Los Angeles. If you’re single and in your 20s or 30s, LA’s energy, diversity, and career opportunities are unparalleled. The dating scene is vast, the social life is endless, and the professional networking is off the charts. The higher cost is the price of admission for access to a global city. Just be prepared for a grind.
Winner for Retirees
Coeur d'Alene. This is a no-brunner for most retirees. The lower cost of living stretches fixed incomes further, the safety is a major comfort, and the outdoor activities (golfing, hiking, boating) promote an active, healthy lifestyle. The slower pace and community focus align perfectly with retirement goals. LA can be a great retirement spot if you have significant wealth and crave the cultural amenities, but for the vast majority, Coeur d'Alene wins.
At a Glance: Pros & Cons
Los Angeles
Pros:
- Unmatched career opportunities in entertainment, tech, and business.
- World-class dining, shopping, and cultural institutions.
- Diverse, vibrant neighborhoods with distinct personalities.
- Perfect Mediterranean weather with no snow or humidity.
- Proximity to beaches, mountains, and deserts.
Cons:
- Extreme cost of living—especially housing.
- Brutal traffic and long commutes.
- High state income tax and overall expenses.
- Significant crime rates (varies by neighborhood).
- Can feel impersonal and isolating.
Coeur d'Alene
Pros:
- Significantly lower cost of living and housing.
- Much safer with a low crime rate.
- Stunning natural beauty (lake, mountains, forests).
- Short commutes and a walkable downtown core.
- Strong sense of community and family-friendly.
- Favorable tax environment (no sales tax on groceries, lower income tax).
Cons:
- Harsh, snowy winters with limited daylight.
- Smaller, less diverse economy and job market (growing, but limited).
- Fewer cultural amenities (museums, concerts, niche restaurants).
- Rapid growth is straining infrastructure and changing the small-town feel.
- Can feel isolated from major coastal cities.
The Bottom Line: Choose Los Angeles if your career demands it and you’re willing to trade money and time for access and opportunity. Choose Coeur d'Alene if you’re prioritizing safety, community, nature, and financial freedom over the relentless pace of a major metropolis.