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Is it cheaper to buy or rent in Los Angeles in 2026?

If you’re deciding whether to buy or rent a home in Los Angeles in 2026, you’re not alone. What used to be a simple answer has become more difficult as the economy continues to drift from historical norms.

Previously, it was common knowledge that buying was the more affordable choice, with long-term benefits generally outweighing the initial costs. But that assumption has shifted. After the pandemic threw housing markets off kilter, prices ballooned and mortgage rates climbed, straining affordability nationwide. Now, the typical buyer needs to earn far more than the typical renter to afford a median-priced home in many cities, leading the homeowner population to stall.

So what does buying vs. renting look like in Los Angeles right now? To find out, Redfin Real Estate looked at the income required to afford a typical home over a typical apartment—called the “income premium.” For example, an income premium of 10% means a household needs to earn 10% more to buy than to rent, while a premium of -10% means renting is cheaper than buying.

Note: All data is a monthly average for the month of December 2025. Rental data comes from a partnership with Zillow; median income data comes from the U.S. Census.

Buying vs. renting: Los Angeles

• Income premium to afford typical home over typical apartment: 115.2%
• Income needed to buy: $248,307
• Income needed to rent: $115,401
• Median sale price: $970,307
• Median rent price: $2,885
• Median household income: $103,226

Buying vs. renting: National

• Income premium to afford typical home over typical apartment: 46.3%
• Income needed to buy: $111,252
• Income needed to rent: $76,020
• Median sale price: $426,747
• Median rent price: $1,901
• Median household income: $86,185

This story was
produced by
Redfin Real Estate and reviewed and
distributed by Stacker.

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Record snowfalls in California history

Almost everyone who lives in areas prone to snow seems to have a legendary snowstorm story: the blizzard of ’78, the Storm of the Century, any of the blizzards or bomb cyclones that have happened since then. And according to experts, historic snowstorms—the kind you measure all other snowy days against—are becoming more regular.

Despite shorter, warmer winters—driven by climate change—in many areas, blizzards are predicted to become more frequent and intense. Since warmer air holds more moisture, more snow is likely to fall when temperatures are just below freezing versus when temperatures are significantly below the 32 degrees Fahrenheit freezing point.

Warmer-than-normal winter air is impacting nearly every region of the U.S., according to a 2024 study by Climate Central. For every 1 degree rise in Fahrenheit the air holds 4% more moisture, creating the right conditions for intense snowfall.

Stacker compiled a list of the biggest 1-day snowfalls in California using data from the National Centers for Environmental Information to better understand historical snowfall events on a local level. Only one record snowfall for each county was included in the list.

January 29, 1968 (Butte County)
– 1-day snowfall: 45.0 inches

January 29, 1968 (Plumas County)
– 1-day snowfall: 48.0 inches

December 24, 1979 (Shasta County)
– 1-day snowfall: 48.0 inches

December 21, 1996 (Nevada County)
– 1-day snowfall: 48.1 inches

April 3, 1958 (Placer County)
– 1-day snowfall: 49.0 inches

January 19, 1933 (Tulare County)
– 1-day snowfall: 60.0 inches

March 9, 2023 (Mariposa County)
– 1-day snowfall: 60.0 inches

January 2, 1901 (Siskiyou County)
– 1-day snowfall: 63.0 inches

March 31, 1982 (Alpine County)
– 1-day snowfall: 65.0 inches

January 5, 1982 (El Dorado County)
– 1-day snowfall: 67.0 inches

ACHPF // Shutterstock

See how much it costs to attend LAFC games

Way compiled a look at the affordability of attending LAFC games. Ticket rates were aggregated from official primary ticketing partners (Ticketmaster, SeatGeek, AXS) and major resale marketplaces (Vivid Seats, SeatPick) based on availability as of January 12, 2026. Ticket prices and concession costs are estimates subject to change and may fluctuate significantly based on dynamic pricing, demand, and opponent.

The cost of grabbing a bite or drink at an MLS game varies widely depending on where you’re watching. Fans pay the steepest prices in Los Angeles and Miami, where a beer can run up to $16 at LAFC’s BMO Stadium and $15 at Inter Miami CF’s Freedom Park, while hot dogs and sodas reach $10 and $8 respectively in those venues. On the other end, Atlanta United offers some of the league’s most affordable concessions — just $5 for a beer, $2 for a hot dog, and $2 for a soda at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

How much it costs to attend LAFC games
– 2026 Stadium: BMO Stadium
– Ticket prices: $95 (2nd highest)
– Concession total: $32.50 (3rd highest)
— Beer (16oz): $16.00
— Hot Dog: $9.00
— Soda: $7.50
– Average parking price: $12.44

MLS teams with the highest ticket prices
#1. Inter Miami CF ($165)
#2. LAFC ($95)
#3. St. Louis CITY SC ($90)
#4. Columbus Crew ($82)
#5. Austin FC ($78)

This story was
produced by
Way and reviewed and
distributed by Stacker.

ACHPF // Shutterstock

See how much it costs to attend LA Galaxy games

Way compiled a look at the affordability of attending LA Galaxy games. Ticket rates were aggregated from official primary ticketing partners (Ticketmaster, SeatGeek, AXS) and major resale marketplaces (Vivid Seats, SeatPick) based on availability as of January 12, 2026. Ticket prices and concession costs are estimates subject to change and may fluctuate significantly based on dynamic pricing, demand, and opponent.

The cost of grabbing a bite or drink at an MLS game varies widely depending on where you’re watching. Fans pay the steepest prices in Los Angeles and Miami, where a beer can run up to $16 at LAFC’s BMO Stadium and $15 at Inter Miami CF’s Freedom Park, while hot dogs and sodas reach $10 and $8 respectively in those venues. On the other end, Atlanta United offers some of the league’s most affordable concessions — just $5 for a beer, $2 for a hot dog, and $2 for a soda at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

How much it costs to attend LA Galaxy games
– 2026 Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park
– Ticket prices: $60 (14th highest)
– Concession total: $30.00 (5th highest)
— Beer (16oz): $15.00
— Hot Dog: $8.00
— Soda: $7.00
– Average parking price: $20-$30

MLS teams with the highest ticket prices
#1. Inter Miami CF ($165)
#2. LAFC ($95)
#3. St. Louis CITY SC ($90)
#4. Columbus Crew ($82)
#5. Austin FC ($78)

This story was
produced by
Way and reviewed and
distributed by Stacker.

ACHPF // Shutterstock

See how much it costs to attend San Diego FC games

Way compiled a look at the affordability of attending San Diego FC games. Ticket rates were aggregated from official primary ticketing partners (Ticketmaster, SeatGeek, AXS) and major resale marketplaces (Vivid Seats, SeatPick) based on availability as of January 12, 2026. Ticket prices and concession costs are estimates subject to change and may fluctuate significantly based on dynamic pricing, demand, and opponent.

The cost of grabbing a bite or drink at an MLS game varies widely depending on where you’re watching. Fans pay the steepest prices in Los Angeles and Miami, where a beer can run up to $16 at LAFC’s BMO Stadium and $15 at Inter Miami CF’s Freedom Park, while hot dogs and sodas reach $10 and $8 respectively in those venues. On the other end, Atlanta United offers some of the league’s most affordable concessions — just $5 for a beer, $2 for a hot dog, and $2 for a soda at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

How much it costs to attend San Diego FC games
– 2026 Stadium: Snapdragon Stadium
– Ticket prices: $75 (6th highest)
– Concession total: $33.00 (1st highest)
— Beer (16oz): $15.00
— Hot Dog: $10.00
— Soda: $8.00
– Average parking price: $10.40

MLS teams with the highest ticket prices
#1. Inter Miami CF ($165)
#2. LAFC ($95)
#3. St. Louis CITY SC ($90)
#4. Columbus Crew ($82)
#5. Austin FC ($78)

This story was
produced by
Way and reviewed and
distributed by Stacker.

ACHPF // Shutterstock

See how much it costs to attend San Jose Earthquakes games

Way compiled a look at the affordability of attending San Jose Earthquakes games. Ticket rates were aggregated from official primary ticketing partners (Ticketmaster, SeatGeek, AXS) and major resale marketplaces (Vivid Seats, SeatPick) based on availability as of January 12, 2026. Ticket prices and concession costs are estimates subject to change and may fluctuate significantly based on dynamic pricing, demand, and opponent.

The cost of grabbing a bite or drink at an MLS game varies widely depending on where you’re watching. Fans pay the steepest prices in Los Angeles and Miami, where a beer can run up to $16 at LAFC’s BMO Stadium and $15 at Inter Miami CF’s Freedom Park, while hot dogs and sodas reach $10 and $8 respectively in those venues. On the other end, Atlanta United offers some of the league’s most affordable concessions — just $5 for a beer, $2 for a hot dog, and $2 for a soda at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

How much it costs to attend San Jose Earthquakes games
– 2026 Stadium: PayPal Park
– Ticket prices: $55 (14th lowest)
– Concession total: $27.50 (9th highest)
— Beer (16oz): $13.00
— Hot Dog: $8.00
— Soda: $6.50
– Average parking price: $10-$30

MLS teams with the highest ticket prices
#1. Inter Miami CF ($165)
#2. LAFC ($95)
#3. St. Louis CITY SC ($90)
#4. Columbus Crew ($82)
#5. Austin FC ($78)

This story was
produced by
Way and reviewed and
distributed by Stacker.