By Bri Hand · Updated October 2026
Moving to Los Angeles means planning for high housing costs, a mild Mediterranean climate and a spread-out city where your neighborhood shapes your commute. The easiest way to start is a furnished apartment for your first few months, then a longer lease once you know which neighborhood fits. A furnished rental company such as Landing gives you a thoughtfully furnished apartment with a full kitchen and utilities included, without a traditional 12-month lease.
Whether you’re guided by the glimmering stars of show business or the bright lights of the booming aerospace industry, moving to Los Angeles is often the first step to a brighter future. Residents love its palm trees, hiking trails and closeness to the Pacific Ocean. Moving to such a diverse, energetic city can feel overwhelming. This guide covers where to stay when you first arrive, then the need-to-know facts about life in LA: living costs, weather, getting around, who lives here and how the city grew.
Moving to Los Angeles at a glance
Cost: LA is more expensive than much of the U.S., mostly because of housing. Housing costs run well above the U.S. average, with a median rent of about $3,816 a month.
Weather: a Mediterranean climate, sunny with a mild winter and cool evenings.
Getting around: many residents drive, but Metro rail and buses cover much of the city. Choose your neighborhood with your commute in mind.
Where to live first: a furnished apartment on a flexible stay lets you learn the neighborhoods before you sign a lease. Landing has furnished apartments in Los Angeles.
Each point is covered in detail below.
What are the pros and cons of living in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles offers strong industries, mild weather and outdoor life. The trade-off is high housing costs and a lot of time on the road.
Pros
Opportunity. Entertainment, aerospace, medicine and tech all have a strong presence here.
Weather. A Mediterranean climate with a mild winter and cool evenings.
The outdoors. Hiking trails from Griffith Park to Runyon Canyon, and the Pacific Ocean nearby.
Culture. A diverse city, with food, festivals and cultural events in every neighborhood.
Cons
Housing costs. Rent runs well above the U.S. average, and buying a home costs much more again.
Traffic. Los Angeles is known for it, and the average resident spends a lot of time in the car.
Size. The city is spread out, so where you live shapes your daily commute.
Everyday costs. Groceries run a little above the national average.
How much does it cost to live in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles is generally more expensive than many parts of the U.S., mostly because of housing. According to PayScale (October 2026), housing expenses run about 135 percent above the national average, and the median rent is about $3,816 a month.
Housing. The median home price in Los Angeles is about $1.27 million. Renting costs less up front, and prices change a lot by neighborhood.
Food, healthcare and necessities. Groceries run about 10 percent above the national average. Access to medical services, grocery stores and food co-ops is much greater than in many parts of the country.
Income. The city’s median household income was about $81,900 in 2024. Check how your offer compares before you set a budget.
Before you move, build a budget, price out your plan, and note where you’ll pay a little extra. For your first months, count the full cost of temporary housing: furniture, utilities, Wi-Fi and setup add up if you rent unfurnished.
What is the weather like in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate: sunny, with a mild winter and cool evenings. Average winter lows sit in the mid-40s.
Two things to pack for any season:
A light jacket. Nothing bulky is needed. If a cold spell comes, a sweater underneath is enough.
Hiking boots. From Griffith Park to Runyon Canyon, the trails and views are worth the footwear.
LA style ranges from highly fashionable to highly practical, so dress for yourself.
How do you get around Los Angeles?
Many residents drive, but Metro rail and buses cover much of the city, and biking is growing. Choose your neighborhood with your commute in mind, especially if you head downtown often.
Way to get around | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
Metro rail and bus | Commutes along rail and bus lines, at $1.75 per ride | Waits between trains and buses |
Personal car | Freedom across the city and road trips | Traffic, gas, insurance and parking |
Bike | Short trips on designated bike lanes | Distances in a spread-out city |
1. Public transit. Metro runs six rail lines and dozens of bus lines, at $1.75 per ride. You may wait for a bus or train, but you skip traffic, gas, insurance, parking and registration.
2. Personal car. Driving gives you the most freedom. You can drive where you want, when you want, and take road trips to San Diego, San Francisco or along the Pacific Coast Highway. Expect traffic.
3. Biking. Some Angelenos bike to work. You’ll find designated bike lanes, a growing biking community and plenty of places to lock up.
Who lives in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles is home to nearly 4 million people from a wide mix of backgrounds. In Los Angeles County, about 37 percent of residents are between 20 and 44.
For a new resident, that mix is more than a statistic. Every neighborhood has its own food, festivals and cultural events, and they are the quickest way to get to know your new neighbors.
How Los Angeles became the city it is today
Los Angeles grew from an indigenous homeland into a Spanish outpost, then a Mexican town, and became part of the U.S. in 1848. Water, film and oil turned it into a major city.
Early history. Indigenous tribes lived in the area as far back as 8000 BC. By the late 18th century it was a Spanish outpost named El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Ángeles de Porciúncula, “The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels of Porciúncula.”
Mexico, then the U.S. After Mexico’s independence, the area became part of Mexico. In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo made it part of the U.S.
Gold and cattle. The California Gold Rush brought thousands of fortune seekers west. Cattle ranching grew in the second half of the 19th century and fed the fast-growing population.
Water, film and oil. The Los Angeles Aqueduct opened in 1913, and the city grew fast. Directors D.W. Griffith and Cecil B. DeMille helped launch Hollywood, which has been at the heart of the LA economy for more than 100 years. The California oil boom built large fortunes.
Today. Los Angeles is pushing ahead in medicine and tech, with a strong presence on the national and global stage.
How do I secure a move-in ready apartment when moving to Los Angeles?
Book a furnished apartment in Los Angeles before you arrive, then look for a long-term home from inside the city. Landing’s furnished apartments in Los Angeles come with furniture, a full kitchen, an in-unit washer and dryer, fast Wi-Fi and utilities included, and you can stay a month, 3 months, 6 months or longer when dates are available. In a city this spread out, that lets you test your commute before you sign a 12-month lease. For the full checklist of a job move, see our job relocation guide.
Where can I find move-in ready apartments in Los Angeles without a long-term lease?
Landing has move-in ready furnished apartments in Los Angeles that you can book without a long-term lease; see them on Landing’s Los Angeles page.
Once you know the city, listing sites are where you find your long-term lease. For a full comparison of flexible rental options and how month-to-month terms work, see our guide to month-to-month leases.
Should I sign a lease before moving to Los Angeles?
Usually not. Los Angeles is spread out, and the right neighborhood depends on your commute, so it is easier to choose after a few weeks here. With Landing you can request an extension through the app if your search runs long. A short furnished stay first lets you:
Learn the commute first. Drive or ride your real route to work at rush hour before you commit.
See neighborhoods in person. Visit a few areas on weekends and evenings.
Moving to Los Angeles for a new job
Book temporary housing first so your start date is covered, then search for your long-term apartment once you know your commute. A furnished apartment from Landing gives you a place to live from day one while you tour Los Angeles neighborhoods in person. For budgets, documents and relocation packages, see our job relocation guide.
Landing compared with other places to stay in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles you can also look at Airbnb, Vrbo, Furnished Finder, Blueground, extended-stay hotels or corporate housing. Unlike marketplaces such as Airbnb and Furnished Finder, Landing is one company: every apartment follows Landing standards, support comes from Landing 24/7, and the full price is shown before you book. Our job relocation guide compares every option side by side.
Relocating to Los Angeles with Landing
Landing provides thoughtfully furnished apartments designed for effortless stays, across 250+ U.S. cities, without a traditional 12-month lease. It was founded in 2019 and has 8,500+ furnished apartments, each managed by Landing, so the quality is consistent wherever life takes you.
Move-in ready. Each apartment is set up before you arrive with furniture, a full kitchen, a washer and dryer in the unit, a workspace and fast Wi-Fi.
Utilities included. Utilities are in your price breakdown, so you don’t open separate utility accounts.
No traditional security deposit or application fee on direct bookings. Landing offers an optional damage waiver fee instead, shown before you book.
Flexible length. Book for a month, 3 months, 6 months or longer when dates are available. Request an extension in the app if your plans change.
Transparent pricing. The checkout page shows rent, utilities, fees and taxes before you confirm, so there are no surprises.
Support around the clock. Local support is available 24/7 through the app, by phone or in person.
The Landing Guarantee. If your apartment isn’t ready or isn’t as shown, contact Landing. The team will work to fix it, move you to a comparable or better apartment, or refund the days you have left.
For companies too. Employers can use Landing corporate housing for employee moves and temporary assignments, and dedicated account support may be available.
Pets. Many Landing apartments are pet friendly. Rules and fees vary by property and are shown before you book.
Landing has furnished apartments in Los Angeles. See them and check your dates on Landing’s Los Angeles page.
Frequently asked questions
What is it like to live in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles offers strong industries, a Mediterranean climate and easy access to hiking trails and the Pacific Ocean. The trade-offs are housing costs well above the U.S. average, heavy traffic and a city so spread out that where you live shapes your commute.
What are the disadvantages of living in Los Angeles?
The main disadvantages are high housing costs, with a median rent of about $3,816 a month, traffic, long commutes in a spread-out city, and grocery prices a little above the national average.
How much money do I need to move to Los Angeles?
It depends on your neighborhood, your move and your first months of housing. Budget for a median rent of about $3,816 a month, groceries about 10 percent above the national average, and the full cost of temporary housing. If you rent unfurnished, add furniture, utilities, Wi-Fi and setup.
