New York City vs Los Angeles
New York City comes out ahead overall, winning 4 of 7 criteria.
Summary
New York City edges out Los Angeles overall (6.3 vs 5.9), but the margin is thin enough that a single strong priority — like climate — could reasonably flip your personal decision the other way.
Quick answers
Safety: New York City and Los Angeles tie on this (6/10 each).
Climate: Los Angeles (8/10 vs 5/10).
Overall, New York City scores higher (6.3/10 vs 5.9/10) across all seven criteria combined.
Cost of living: Los Angeles (4/10 vs 3/10).
New York City — New York City scores higher once we weight toward households with kids prioritizing safety, healthcare and clean air (6.2 vs 5.8 for New York City vs Los Angeles), driven largely by safety.
New York City and Los Angeles are a close call for remote work based on internet and cost of living.
Where each city wins
- +Public transport: far better than Los Angeles (8.0 vs 4.0)
- +Environment & air quality: slightly better than Los Angeles (5.0 vs 4.0)
- +Healthcare: slightly better than Los Angeles (8.0 vs 7.0)
- +Climate: far better than New York City (8.0 vs 5.0)
- +Cost of living: slightly better than New York City (4.0 vs 3.0)
Which city fits your profile?
New York City and Los Angeles score within a rounding error of each other for remote workers who need fast internet and an affordable, pleasant base, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
New York City and Los Angeles score within a rounding error of each other for independent workers balancing cost of living against healthcare access, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
New York City scores higher once we weight toward households with kids prioritizing safety, healthcare and clean air (6.2 vs 5.8 for New York City vs Los Angeles), driven largely by safety.
New York City scores higher once we weight toward movers for whom affordability outweighs every other factor (5.7 vs 5.5 for New York City vs Los Angeles), driven largely by cost of living.
New York City scores higher once we weight toward people relocating somewhere unfamiliar who weigh personal safety above all (6.4 vs 5.9 for New York City vs Los Angeles), driven largely by safety.
New York City and Los Angeles score within a rounding error of each other for retirees prioritizing healthcare, climate and a calm environment over nightlife or internet speed, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
New York City scores higher once we weight toward students who need affordability, transit and a lively social scene (6.1 vs 5.5 for New York City vs Los Angeles), driven largely by cost of living.
New York City scores higher once we weight toward expatriates relocating for work who lean on safety, healthcare and internet to stay settled and connected (6.7 vs 6.0 for New York City vs Los Angeles), driven largely by safety.
New York City scores higher once we weight toward founders and small business owners who need reliable connectivity and a livable base without big-city costs (6.4 vs 6.0 for New York City vs Los Angeles), driven largely by internet & connectivity.
New York City scores higher once we weight toward early-career movers who want nightlife and transit within budget, without yet prioritizing healthcare or climate (6.3 vs 5.7 for New York City vs Los Angeles), driven largely by cost of living.
Which city should you choose?
Pick New York City if you're a young family, budget-conscious mover, or safety-first mover.