THE TAX BITE IN LOS ANGELES

We all think taxes are a burden. The question is whether the tax bite in Los Angeles is better or worse than in other cities:

RANK BY CITY

(Based on - 2 income, 2 - dependent families earning $35,000)

Total % of City Tax Income Newark $7,902 22.6% Bridgeport, Conn. 7,740 22.1% Providence, R.I. 6,487 18.5% Philadelphia 6,433 18.4% Wilmington, Del. 6,401 18.3% Detroit 6,325 18.1% Minneapolis 6,296 18.0% Milwaukee 6,277 17.9% Baltimore 6,063 17.3% New York City 5,922 16.9% Portland, Ore. 5,892 16.8% Washington, D.C. 5,565 15.9% Indianapolis 5,548 15.9% Cleveland 5,513 15.8% Des Moines 5,511 15.7% Atlanta 5,499 15.7% Portland, Me. 5,428 15.5% Columbia, S.C. 5,343 15.3% Salt Lake City 5,337 15.2% Honolulu 5,293 15.1% Los Angeles 4,837 13.8%

LOS ANGELES VS. NEW YORK

(Based on 2 - income, 2 - dependent families for 1988*)

Federal State/Local Total % of Tax Taxes Tax Income $15,000 L.A. $300 $867 $1,197 8.0% New York 330 1,300 1,630 10.9% $25,000 L.A. 1,440 1,563 3,003 12.0% New York 1,330 2,347 3,677 14.7% $35,000 L.A. 2,534 2,303 4,837 13.8% New York 2,352 3,569 5,922 16.9% $50,000 L.A. 4,754 3,790 8,544 17.1% New York 4,328 5,702 10,030 20.1% $75,000 L.A. 10,992 6,848 17,840 23.8% New York 10,217 9,441 19,658 26.2% $100,000 L.A. 16,693 9,325 26,018 26.0% New York 15,571 12,831 28,402 28.4% $125,000 L.A. 23,644 11,918 35,563 28.5% New York 22,088 16,232 38,320 30.7%

Source: Government Finance Research Center. *Sales, property and auto taxes are included. Each family is assumed to work and live in the city and to own its own home and at least one automobile. Researcher: Patricia L. Brown