Which is better New York or LA?

There are nice cities on the West Coast:  Seattle, San Francisco, Santa Barbara.  Los Angeles is NOT one of them.

It depends really. I live in NYC but I in the holidays, I go to LA for the summer (climate).

I live in California and would choose LA. I just like California. 

I prefer Los Angeles for the climate.

LA is far more polluted--all my exposed skin peeled off after a week in LA.  It lacks decent public transportation, has worse weather, and sucks.  NYC has very limited lockdown rules (e.g. 25% seating in theaters), and plenty of vaccination sites.

Better for what?  

New York City is the greatest city in the world. Los Angeles is 500 square miles of concrete beneath an umbrella of smog. New York City has art, culture, food, music, theater, and would make anyone's list of the most iconic and important cities on this planet. Los Angeles has zero character or charm. In terms of population, Los Angeles might be Number Two in the country, but cities like Boston and San Francisco have infinitely more history and personality than Los Angeles ever could or will.  

both are sanctuary cities, and hundreds of billions in debt. they are also in lockdown and most of their small businesses and restaurants are closed. they both have lousy governors too. you couldn't pay me to live in either one!

If you don't want people to touch you no matter where you go, I would say la