The Portrait of Los Angeles County 2026 takes an in-depth look at well-being and opportunity in Los Angeles. Measure of America uses the American Human Development Index, a composite measure that accounts for three essential facets of a life of freedom and opportunity: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge, and a decent standard of living.

The report presents HDI scores for a deep dive into each of these areas individually—for 115 cities and unincorporated areas in LA County, as well as for the 34 community plan areas within the City of Los Angeles, for major racial and ethnic groups, for women and men, and for US- and foreign-born residents. In addition, the report explores key issues, including health, education, living standards, environmental justice, immigration, housing, homelessness, and inequality.

Key findings include: 

• A typical worker in Los Angeles County earns about $44,600, which is $3,500 less than the California median of $48,100. Median personal earnings have risen since the 2017 report, from $39,500 to $44,600 (adjusted for inflation and presented in 2023 dollars). However, the cost of necessities has outpaced earnings growth.
• Housing is a severe issue, affecting even residents in wealthier neighborhoods. In every neighborhood countywide, a resident earning the area’s median salary would need to work more than 40 hours a week to afford monthly median housing costs without being housing cost-burdened.
• Among the County’s cities, Census-Designated Places, and City of Los Angeles Community Plan Areas, life expectancy ranged from 88.1 years in Westwood to 71.8 years in Sun Village in the Antelope Valley—a span of 16.3 years.