At what salary do you actually feel “comfortable” living in Los Angeles, I mean on a single salary (not married or living together).
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Around $120k+ if you’re single. Anything less and you are still budgeting pretty hard if you want your own place. Let’s face reality, after taxes, insurances, healthcare, monthly apartment rent, gas, food, car repairs, going out on the weekends, maybe 1-2 vacations a year, 2-3 trips to Vegas, well, you won’t save up much.
Just to let that sink in, I pay around $3,5k for my apartment. That’s around 42k a year. That’s the average salary for a lot of countries in Europe. Just imagine loosing your job and the savings you would need to survive just half a year.
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I guess that’s why roughly 50% of working-age adults live with roommates or in shared housing (including non-family adults). Having your own place as a single is considered pure luxury for a lot of us.
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I’d say 150k $ feels “comfortable” .. not rich, but you’re not stressing about rent, going out, or random expenses. That number is obviously less if you live with a life partner or roommate.
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I could never afford to pay 3-4k for an apartment. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to afford the gym, a car, or even going out anymore. Most people I know earn less than 80k.
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For sure above 100k. L.A. is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Salaries pretty decent though.
That’s sadly the number I would suggest too.
I live pretty comfortably on 80k with a roommate.
I don’t even want my own place. We are an awesome team.
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If you want to live like an adult with your own apartment 120k+. You can add around 2000 Dollar every year because of price increases.
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It really depends on the housing situation.
If you live alone, it’s 100k. With a roommate, probably 80k.
I survived with way less, to be honest.
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Probably depends on the neighborhood, with rent being one of the highest expenses.
Moving in with roommates is always something I would consider.
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I think there is a difference between living comfortably and surviving. I know people who survive on 40k a year. They live with roommates, adjust their "nightlife budget" and don't have expensive dinners. They cook together, do free things, and share some expenses. You don't need 150k to live a happy life in Los Angeles.
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I couldn't agree more. Many people in the food sector wouldn't survive otherwise. Not everyone makes $200 in tips each day. Ask the guy who works in the kitchen and washes the dishes. It's all about realistic expectations.
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Probably the best answer I saw so far. 
Live like a queen and make the money for that. Or adjust your expectations. I am okay with adjusted expectations.
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... I need that on my T-shirt as a slogan.
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You don't need 100K+ to survive in Los Angeles.
I think to live a good life in a shared place, you should have maybe around 60k. If you want your own place.. 70-80k.
That is key, depending on your budget.
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