Music Manager Leaves LA for Colorado Citing $300K Annual Costs

Liz Kamlet detailed her family's astronomical living expenses in Los Angeles before moving to Aspen.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 4:55pm

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A blurred, dreamlike photograph in warm hues of orange and yellow, depicting the silhouettes of tall buildings and palm trees, conveying the opulent yet financially draining atmosphere of living in Los Angeles.The high cost of living in Los Angeles forces even high-income earners to seek more affordable alternatives.Los Angeles Today

Music manager Liz Kamlet recently posted a viral Instagram video breaking down her family's nearly $300,000 in annual living expenses while living in Los Angeles. Kamlet cited high costs for home insurance, property taxes, maintenance, security, healthcare, and other basic necessities that drove them to relocate to Aspen, Colorado where they are saving thousands per month.

Why it matters

Kamlet's story highlights the extreme cost of living in Los Angeles that is pricing out many residents, leading to an exodus from the city. The high costs, driven by factors like insurance, taxes, and utilities, make homeownership unattainable for all but the highest earners, forcing some even wealthy individuals to leave California altogether.

The details

Kamlet broke down her family's monthly expenses in Los Angeles, which included $3,400 for home, car, and umbrella insurance, $650 in property taxes, $1,500 for property maintenance, $1,000 for security, $2,400 for health insurance, $3,000 each for groceries and takeout, and hundreds more for utilities, cell phones, and other household items. Even with their home fully paid off, these costs added up to over $20,000 per month, or nearly $250,800 annually. Kamlet said investments and her son's college fund brought the total closer to $300,000 per year just to 'exist' in LA.

  • Kamlet posted the viral Instagram video in April 2026 detailing her family's LA living expenses.

The players

Liz Kamlet

A music manager who recently relocated her family from Los Angeles to Aspen, Colorado due to the high cost of living in LA.

Stephen Bishop

Kamlet's husband, a singer-songwriter who bought their home in the Hollywood Hills in 1978.

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What they’re saying

“The person in this Instagram reel is obviously living in a higher income bracket than most people, but she's spot on regarding the insurance, taxes, and other expenses needed to live in Los Angeles.”

— Jameson Tyler Drew, President of Anubis Properties in the L.A. area

“Los Angeles is just too expensive across the board for most homebuyers. To even start to consider a home in Los Angeles, you have to have an income of over $250,000 per year. And that's just to get yourself in the front door, so to speak.”

— Jameson Tyler Drew, President of Anubis Properties in the L.A. area

What’s next

Kamlet and her family plan to continue enjoying the lower cost of living and slower pace of life in Aspen, Colorado.

The takeaway

Kamlet's story illustrates the extreme financial burden of living in Los Angeles, even for high-income earners, and the growing trend of residents leaving the city in search of more affordable locations that can provide a better quality of life.