📊 Lifestyle Match
Visualizing the tradeoffs between Everett and Los Angeles
Head-to-Head Analysis
Everett vs Los Angeles
Detailed breakdown of cost of living, income potential, and lifestyle metrics.
📋 The Details
Line-by-line data comparison.
| Category / Metric | Everett | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Overview | ||
| Median Income | $74,276 | $79,701 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.5% |
| Housing Market | ||
| Median Home Price | $564,990 | $1,002,500 |
| Price per SqFt | $362 | $616 |
| Monthly Rent (1BR) | $1,864 | $2,006 |
| Housing Cost Index | 151.5 | 173.0 |
| Cost of Living | ||
| Groceries Index | 107.9 | 107.9 |
| Gas Price (Gallon) | $3.65 | $3.98 |
| Safety & Lifestyle | ||
| Violent Crime (per 100k) | 567.0 | 732.5 |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 39.2% |
| Air Quality (AQI) | 34 | 52 |
Expert Verdict
AI-generated analysis based on current data.
Hey there, future resident! So, you're standing at a crossroads. To your left, the sun-drenched, sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles, the global capital of entertainment and ambition. To your right, the rugged, maritime gem of Everett, Washington, a gateway to the Pacific Northwest's pristine beauty. This isn't just a choice between two cities; it's a choice between two entirely different lifestyles, budgets, and futures.
As your relocation expert, I'm here to cut through the brochure gloss and give you the real, unfiltered data. We're going to pit them against each other in a no-holds-barred showdown to see which city truly deserves your ticket. Buckle up.
The Vibe Check: Glamour vs. Grit & Greenery
Los Angeles: The Dream Factory on Overdrive
LA is not a city; it's an ecosystem. It’s a 469-square-mile mosaic of sun-soaked boulevards, glittering premiere nights, and endless traffic. The culture is built on hustle, visibility, and the relentless pursuit of the next big thing. You'll find world-class museums, a food scene that spans the globe, and a social calendar that never sleeps. But it's also a city of stark contrasts—extreme wealth and deep poverty exist blocks apart. The vibe is fast-paced, aspirational, and relentlessly energetic. You come here to make your mark, to connect, and to live in the perpetual golden hour.
Who is LA for? The career-driven professional, the creative, the social butterfly, and anyone who thrives on energy, diversity, and the feeling that anything is possible (if you can afford the entry fee).
Everett: The Pacific Northwest's Steady Hand
Everett is the antithesis of the LA frenzy. Nestled on the shores of Puget Sound with the Olympic Mountains as a backdrop, Everett is a working-class city with a booming aerospace heart (Boeing's massive factory is here). The vibe is laid-back, industrious, and deeply connected to nature. The pace is slower. Weekends are for hiking in the Cascades, kayaking on the Sound, or exploring the historic downtown. It's less about being seen and more about being present. The culture is grounded in coffee, craft beer, and a pragmatic, no-nonsense attitude.
Who is Everett for? The outdoor enthusiast, the family seeking a quieter pace, the professional in aerospace, tech, or healthcare, and anyone who values access to breathtaking nature over a buzzing nightlife.
The Dollar Power: Where Does Your Salary Actually Go?
This is where the rubber meets the road. A $100,000 salary in one city can feel like a fortune; in the other, it can feel like you're just getting by. Let's break down the cold, hard cash.
Purchasing Power Purgatory (LA) vs. Pacific Northwest Value (Everett)
The median income in LA is $79,701, while Everett sits at $74,276. That’s not a huge gap. But when you factor in the cost of living, the picture changes dramatically. LA’s cost of living is roughly 50% higher than the national average. Everett’s is about 20% higher. That difference is your financial breathing room.
If you earn $100,000 in LA, after California’s steep income taxes (which can hit 9.3% for that bracket), you’re taking home roughly $72,000. In Washington State, which has no income tax, that same $100,000 leaves you with about $75,000 in your pocket. That’s an extra $3,000 annually before you even buy groceries.
The Cost of Living Breakdown
| Expense Category | Los Angeles | Everett | Winner (For Your Wallet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | $2,006 | $1,864 | Everett |
| Utilities (Monthly Avg) | ~$200 | ~$180 | Everett |
| Groceries | ~15% above nat'l avg | ~10% above nat'l avg | Everett |
| Housing Index | 173.0 | 151.5 | Everett |
The Verdict on Dollars: Everett is the clear winner for purchasing power. The lower taxes, slightly cheaper rent, and overall lower cost of living mean your money stretches significantly further. In LA, you're paying a premium for the zip code, the sunshine, and the opportunity. In Everett, you're paying for quality of life without the financial heartburn.
The Housing Market: Buy, Rent, or Cry?
Los Angeles: The Seller's Paradise (If You Can Get In)
The median home price in LA is a jaw-dropping $1,002,500. The market is a relentless seller's game. Competition is fierce, cash offers are common, and bidding wars can push prices even higher. For most, homeownership is a distant dream. Renting is the default, but with a median 1BR at $2,006, it's a massive chunk of your income. The Housing Index of 173.0 confirms you're in one of the most expensive markets in the country. You're not just buying a home; you're investing in a location that commands a premium.
Everett: The Accessible Entry Point
Everett offers a dramatically different landscape. The median home price is $564,990—nearly half of LA's price. This makes the dream of homeownership tangible for a much wider swath of the population. The Housing Index of 151.5 is still high, but it's a world away from LA's stratospheric levels. The market is competitive but not cutthroat. Renting is also more manageable at $1,864, leaving you with more cash to save for a down payment.
The Verdict on Housing: Everett wins decisively. Whether you're looking to rent or buy, the financial barrier to entry is significantly lower. LA's housing market is a high-stakes gamble for the wealthy or the exceptionally fortunate. Everett offers a more realistic path to stability and ownership.
The Dealbreakers: Weather, Traffic, and Safety
Traffic & Commute: The Daily Grind
- LA: Infamous. The "freeway" system is a sprawling web of congestion. The average commute time is over 30 minutes, but it can easily double during peak hours. Public transit (the Metro) is improving but doesn't cover the city's vastness effectively. Owning a car is non-negotiable, and you'll spend a lot of time in it.
- Everett: Much more manageable. While there's traffic, it's concentrated around the I-5 corridor. The city is more compact, and commutes are generally shorter. Public transit (Community Transit) is decent, and Seattle is accessible via commuter rail (Sounder). The stress level is a fraction of LA's.
Weather: Sun vs. Drizzle
- LA: A Mediterranean climate. The average temperature is a pleasant 54°F, but that's misleading. Summers are hot and dry (often in the 80s-90s), and winters are mild and rainy. The prized feature? Over 280 days of sunshine. The trade-off is drought conditions and wildfire risk.
- Everett: A marine west-coast climate. Average temp is cooler at 48°F. Summers are mild and gorgeous (70s-80s). Winters are damp, cloudy, and chilly, with temperatures often hovering in the 40s. Snow is rare but possible. The trade-off? The "Big Dark" from November to February, where overcast skies are the norm. It’s drizzle, not downpours, but it can be mentally taxing for sun-seekers.
Crime & Safety: A Stark Contrast
- LA: Violent crime rate is 732.5 per 100k. This is significantly higher than the national average. While vast areas of LA are safe, crime is a reality of big-city life. You must be vigilant about property crime (car break-ins are rampant) and aware of your surroundings.
- Everett: Violent crime rate is 567.0 per 100k. While still above the national average, it's notably lower than LA's. Everett feels like a smaller, more community-oriented city where you're less likely to encounter the random acts of big-city crime.
The Final Verdict: Which City Should You Choose?
After crunching the numbers and weighing the lifestyles, here’s my expert breakdown.
Winner for Families: Everett. The combination of lower housing costs, safer environment, easier commutes, and unparalleled access to outdoor recreation (hiking, skiing, beaches) makes it a more practical and enriching place to raise kids. The school districts are generally strong, and the community feel is palpable.
Winner for Singles/Young Professionals: Los Angeles. For those who prioritize career networking, cultural diversity, nightlife, and the sheer energy of a global city, LA is unbeatable. The higher cost is the price of admission to a world of opportunity and social connection. Just be prepared for the financial grind.
Winner for Retirees: Everett. With no state income tax, more affordable housing, and a peaceful, scenic environment, Everett is a financially savvy and serene choice for retirees. The cooler, damp climate may not suit everyone, but if you love the outdoors and a slower pace, it's ideal.
Final Pros & Cons
Los Angeles
- Pros: Unmatched career opportunities, diverse culture & food, world-class entertainment, sunny weather year-round, vast social scene.
- Cons: Astronomical cost of living, brutal traffic, high crime rates, competitive housing market, environmental challenges (drought, wildfires).
Everett
- Pros: Significantly lower cost of living, no state income tax, stunning natural beauty, family-friendly, safer, manageable commutes, strong aerospace/tech job market.
- Cons: Gray, drizzly winters ("The Big Dark"), less cultural diversity, fewer major entertainment options, higher state sales tax.
The choice is yours. Choose Los Angeles if you're chasing a dream and are willing to pay the premium for the platform. Choose Everett if you're building a life and want your hard-earned money to buy you space, peace, and access to nature. Both are fantastic, but they speak to very different souls. Listen to yours.