Comparison · Los Angeles vs New York City · United States
Los Angeles vs New York City
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Gnaphron, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
Choose Los Angeles for Hollywood, Beaches, lower day-to-day costs and a milder winter; choose New York City for Statue of Liberty and Central Park. Los Angeles is generally less expensive, and the two are about 3,936 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 3,936 km
- Less expensive
- Los Angeles
- Best time for Los Angeles
- March–May and September–November
- Best time for New York City
- April–June and September–October
Side by side
| Los Angeles | New York City | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Hollywood, Beaches and Griffith Observatory | Statue of Liberty, Central Park and Broadway |
| Best time to visit | March–May and September–November | April–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 6 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $250–$400 | $300–$500 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Very expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 29°C (84°F) | July, 29°C (84°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 20°C (68°F) | January, 4°C (39°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 10 | 8 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 5 |
| Beaches | Santa Monica State Beach | Coney Island and Brighton Beach |
| Airports | LAX, BUR, LGB, SNA, ONT | JFK, EWR, LGA |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Los Angeles for…
Hollywood, Beaches, lower day-to-day costs and a milder winter. Los Angeles is a sprawling region of distinct neighbourhoods rather than a single centre: Hollywood and Griffith Park below the hills, Santa Monica and Venice on the beach, a revived Downtown of museums and food halls, and Beverly Hills and West Hollywood in…
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Choose New York City for…
Statue of Liberty and Central Park. New York's five boroughs hold more than eight million people, but most visitors focus on Manhattan, a long island of skyscrapers with Central Park in the middle, and the parts of Brooklyn just across the East River. The grid of avenues and numbered streets…
Top sights compared
| # | Los Angeles | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Griffith Observatory | Central Park |
| 2 | Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre | Metropolitan Museum of Art |
| 3 | Getty Center | Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island |
| 4 | Santa Monica Pier | Empire State Building |
| 5 | Venice Beach Boardwalk and canals | Top of the Rock |
Food compared
| Los Angeles | New York City |
|---|---|
| Tacos al pastor | New York pizza slice |
| French dip sandwich | Bagel with lox |
| Korean barbecue | Pastrami on rye |
| Double-Double burger | Hot dog |
Which is cheaper?
Los Angeles is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $250–$400 per person there, against $300–$500 in New York City (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Los Angeles on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 3,936 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 12 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Los Angeles or New York City cheaper?
Los Angeles is usually less expensive: about $250–$400 a day mid-range against $300–$500 (estimates).
+Is Los Angeles or New York City better for a first trip?
Pick Los Angeles for Hollywood, Beaches, lower day-to-day costs and a milder winter, or New York City for Statue of Liberty and Central Park.
+How far is Los Angeles from New York City?
About 3,936 km in a straight line.