Is the food price too high because of greedy grocers? Probably not and the Rent is not too high because of greedy landlords either. The fact is that utility costs, trash hauling, repairs and replacements and all of the other associated prices have gone up substantially and that is why rents and food costs have gone up. Los Angeles has severe rent controls which are starving the city's landlords and so you can expect to see more owner occupied units and less on the market. It makes no sense to loose money on renting when you can make a family compound out of a 3 or 4plex that costs less than a large house. Think about it!