Compton vs Los Angeles

Category / Metric	Compton	Los Angeles
Financial Overview
Median Income	$69,965	$79,701
Unemployment Rate	5.5%	5.5%
Housing Market
Median Home Price	$637,500	$1,002,500
Price per SqFt	$523	$616
Monthly Rent (1BR)	$2,252	$2,006
Housing Cost Index	173.0	173.0
Cost of Living
Groceries Index	107.9	107.9
Gas Price (Gallon)	$3.98	$3.98
Safety & Lifestyle
Violent Crime (per 100k)	890.0	732.5
Bachelor's Degree+	8.6%	39.2%
Air Quality (AQI)	97	52

Los Angeles vs. Compton: The Ultimate Head-to-Head Showdown

So, you’re looking at moving to the Los Angeles area, but the price tags are giving you serious sticker shock. You’ve landed on two options: the sprawling, iconic metropolis of Los Angeles itself, or its scrappy, up-and-coming neighbor to the south, Compton. On paper, they’re both in the same county, but in reality, they’re worlds apart.

As your Relocation Expert, I’m here to cut through the hype and give you the real deal. This isn’t just about zip codes; it’s about lifestyle, bang for your buck, and what kind of life you’re trying to build. Let’s dive in.

The Vibe Check: Glamour vs. Grit

Los Angeles is the city of dreams, and sometimes, nightmares. It’s a sprawling, fast-paced metropolis where ambition runs high and traffic runs slow. The vibe here is a mix of Hollywood glamour, high-tech innovation, and diverse cultural pockets from Silver Lake’s hipsters to Beverly Hills’ luxury. It’s for the go-getter, the dreamer, and the person who thrives on energy and endless options. If you want to be where the action is—at least some of the time—LA is your stage.

Compton, on the other hand, is the real Los Angeles. It’s a city that’s been historically misunderstood and is now in the midst of a serious glow-up. The vibe is more grounded, community-focused, and unapologetically authentic. It’s for the person who values grit, resilience, and a tight-knit community feel. It’s less about red carpets and more about backyard BBQs and local pride. If you’re looking for a city with a strong identity that’s still evolving, Compton has a compelling story.

Verdict: For the glitz and endless hustle, Los Angeles. For the down-to-earth, community-driven energy, Compton.

The Dollar Power: Where Your Salary Feels Like More

Let’s talk money. In the Golden State, your paycheck gets hit from multiple angles: high state income tax (ranging from 6% to 13.3%), steep sales tax, and the infamous cost of living. The key here is not just what you earn, but what you keep and how far it goes. This is "purchasing power."

First, the raw numbers. While Compton’s home prices look cheaper at a glance, the rent is actually higher than in LA proper. That’s a classic sign of a tight rental market and high demand for more affordable housing options. The Housing Index (which gauges the relative cost of housing) is identical for both at 173.0, meaning housing costs are proportionally high in both locations compared to the national average.

Here’s the breakdown:

Expense Category	Los Angeles	Compton	The Insight
Median Home Price	$1,002,500	$637,500	Compton wins on purchase price, but this is a starting point.
Median Rent (1BR)	$2,006	$2,252	LA wins on rent. Surprising, but Compton's rental market is fierce.
Median Income	$79,701	$69,965	LA wins on income, but the gap is smaller than you'd think.
Housing Index	173.0	173.0	Tie. Both are 73% above the national average for housing.

Salary Wars & Purchasing Power:
Let’s do a thought experiment. You earn $100,000 a year. After California’s brutal taxes (~7.5% effective for this bracket), you’re taking home roughly $72,000 or about $6,000/month.

• In Los Angeles, your $2,006 rent takes a 33% bite out of your take-home pay. You have $3,994 left for everything else—car, food, utilities, fun. It’s doable, but tight. You’re constantly making trade-offs.
• In Compton, your $2,252 rent takes a 38% bite out of your take-home pay. You have $3,748 left. Wait, you have less disposable income in Compton? That’s the brutal reality of the rental market here. The savings on a mortgage don’t help you if you’re renting.

The Verdict: If you’re buying, Compton offers significantly more house for your money. If you’re renting, Los Angeles has a slight edge in affordability. For a $100k earner, neither feels luxurious, but LA gives you a marginally better monthly cash flow.

The Housing Market: Buy vs. Rent

Los Angeles: This is a perennial seller’s market. Inventory is chronically low, and bidding wars are the norm. Owning here is a status symbol and a long-term investment, but entry is brutal. You’re competing with deep-pocketed investors and all-cash buyers. Renting is the default for most, but expect fierce competition and annual rent increases.

Compton: Also a seller’s market, but with a different flavor. The median home price is 36% lower than LA’s, making it one of the last "affordable" frontiers in LA County. This has attracted a wave of first-time homebuyers and investors. Inventory is moving fast. It’s a more accessible entry point for ownership, but prices are rising quickly. The rental market is just as competitive, as we saw.

Verdict: For buyers seeking a foothold in the LA market, Compton is the clear winner. For renters, the choice is less about price and more about which neighborhood vibe you prefer.

The Dealbreakers: Quality of Life

Traffic & Commute

Let’s not sugarcoat it: the traffic is abysmal in both. Los Angeles is a driving city, and the 405, 10, and 110 freeways are legendary for congestion. Commutes can easily be 60-90 minutes each way. Compton is better positioned geographically for access to the South Bay, Orange County, and parts of Downtown LA, but you’re still at the mercy of the same congested freeway system. There’s no real winner here—it’s a shared burden of Southern California living.

Weather

This is a major differentiator. Los Angeles is famous for its Mediterranean climate: mild winters (~54°F average), warm summers, and low humidity. It’s near-perfect weather for outdoor living year-round.
Compton is slightly warmer (~64°F average), but it’s still within the LA basin’s mild zone. It’s not a significant weather downgrade. If you hate humidity, both cities are fantastic. If you need four distinct seasons, look elsewhere.

Crime & Safety

This is a sensitive but critical topic. We must look at the data with clear eyes.

• Los Angeles Violent Crime: 732.5 per 100,000 people.
• Compton Violent Crime: 890.0 per 100,000 people.

The data shows Compton has a higher violent crime rate than LA. However, context is everything. Crime is hyper-local. There are safe, family-oriented neighborhoods in Compton, just as there are areas in LA (like parts of Downtown or South LA) that struggle with safety. The city of Compton has made significant strides in community policing and safety, but it’s crucial to research specific neighborhoods. Los Angeles is vast, and safety varies dramatically from one block to the next.

Verdict: For weather, it’s a tie. For traffic, it’s a tie (you both lose). For safety, Los Angeles has a statistically lower crime rate, but both cities require vigilance and neighborhood research.

The Final Verdict: Which City Wins for YOU?

After crunching the numbers and living the reality, here’s my expert take on who each city is for.

• Winner for Families: Compton. The primary reason is housing affordability. The median home price is $637,500 compared to LA’s $1,002,500. That’s a difference of over $365,000. That kind of savings can mean a bigger home, a backyard, and better schools (through charter or private options if needed). The community vibe is also more family-oriented, with more space for kids to play and neighbors who know each other.

• Winner for Singles/Young Professionals: Los Angeles. If your career is in entertainment, tech, or any industry that thrives on networking and access, LA is the undisputed king. The endless array of restaurants, nightlife, cultural events, and job opportunities is unrivaled. While you’ll likely rent, the sheer number of social and professional circles makes it worth the grind. Compton’s social scene is more localized and less geared toward the young professional crowd.

• Winner for Retirees: Los Angeles. For retirees, the weather is a non-negotiable perk, and both cities offer that. However, LA’s extensive public transportation system (Metro Rail, buses) is more developed, which can be crucial for those who no longer want to drive. The access to world-class healthcare (Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Medical) is also more centralized in LA. Compton is more car-dependent, which can be a challenge later in life.

---

Pros & Cons: At a Glance

Los Angeles

• Pros: Endless job opportunities, world-class dining & entertainment, iconic cultural landmarks, slightly better rental market, lower crime rate (on paper).
• Cons: Astronomical cost of living, brutal traffic, competitive housing market, high taxes, can feel impersonal and sprawling.

Compton

• Pros: More affordable home purchase prices, strong community identity, growing local scene, less "transient" feel than parts of LA, good value for buyers.
• Cons: Higher rent for what you get, higher violent crime rate (research neighborhoods!), fewer high-profile job opportunities, less public transit, still fighting outdated stereotypes.

The Bottom Line:
If you have the budget and crave the hustle, Los Angeles offers the quintessential big-city experience. But if you’re looking to plant roots, buy a home, and be part of a community on the rise—without completely breaking the bank—Compton presents a compelling, real-world alternative. Just do your homework, visit the neighborhoods, and decide what kind of life you want to build in the shadow of the Hollywood sign.