Los Angeles - CA vs Washington - DC: 2026 Housing Comparison

What this means for buyers

Los Angeles - CA is roughly 67% more expensive than Washington - DC in typical home value. Homes sit on market longer in Los Angeles - CA (26 days vs 19), suggesting more buyer leverage there. Washington - DC sees more listings with price cuts (29.4% vs 24.4%), a sign of softening seller expectations.

Los Angeles vs Washington: what the numbers say

At today's 7.40% average 30-year rate with 20% down, the typical home would cost about $5,262 a month in principal and interest in Los Angeles and $3,156 in Washington, a gap of $2,106 a month.

Typical rent runs $2,929 in Los Angeles and $2,407 in Washington, so the mortgage payment alone is 1.8 times rent in Los Angeles and 1.3 times rent in Washington, before taxes and insurance.

Home prices are 27.0 years of rent in Los Angeles and 19.7 in Washington; the lower ratio in Washington means buying there is cheaper relative to renting.

Over the last 23 months typical values moved -0.2% in Los Angeles and +0.7% in Washington; over just the last three months the change was +0.3% in Los Angeles and +0.3% in Washington.

Homes sell for 99.9% of list price in Los Angeles and 99.7% in Washington, after 26 and 19 days on the market, with price cuts on 24% and 29% of listings. The signs are mixed: Los Angeles has longer time on the market, while Washington has more price cuts and sales further below list.

The number of homes for sale is down 0% on a year ago in Los Angeles and up 12% on a year ago in Washington.

Payments assume a 30-year fixed loan at the Freddie Mac weekly average rate (2026-10-15), 20% down, principal and interest only. Home values, rents and market figures are Zillow Research metro data.