What is the cost of living in California?

Asked by: Sadye Altenwerth  |  Last update: December 17, 2022
Score: 4.8/5 (22 votes)

Average Cost of Living in California: $46,636 per year
According to 2020 data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis , the annual average cost of living in California is $46,636.

How much money do you need to live comfortably in California?

In order to just get by in California for a single person, the recommended annual income is $74,371.

What is the minimum cost of living in California?

According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, an adult with no children in California requires a living wage of $38,823 before taxes. Of that annual income, food expenses account for $3,792, or 9.8%.

Is California cost of living worth it?

Better Quality of Living – Overall, living in California is a positive experience for most. If you're willing to deal with the higher costs of living and drop a few extra 100ks on a house, then the golden state lifestyle exceeds that of many other places in the world.

Why you shouldn't move to California?

We have to pay taxes on gasoline, water, smog, luxury taxes, food, tags, hidden taxes and so more. I hope I gave you solid reasons not to live in California. California has the highest tax rate which is 7.25 % and this also adds up with other district taxes making it nearly 8.25%.

How Much Does It ACTUALLY COST To Live In CALIFORNIA (And Why Is Everyone LEAVING)

21 related questions found

Why people are leaving California?

Blame the pandemic, falling birthrates, immigration restrictions and an exodus of residents looking for cheaper places to live.

Can I afford to live in California?

California ranks third among states with the highest cost of living. It sits only behind Hawaii and the District of Columbia in terms of expense. The annual cost of living in California is $46,636 a year with housing and utilities costs rising to $9,542 a year.

Where is the cheapest to live in California?

6 affordable places to live in California
  1. Chico: cheapest city to live in Northern California. ...
  2. Eureka, a convenient city to live for travelling. ...
  3. Sacramento: one of the safest places to live in California. ...
  4. Bakersfield, a relaxing affordable town for big cities getaway. ...
  5. Fresno — live in California with good quality of life.

How much does food cost per month in California?

Groceries & Food

The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that California's average annual non-restaurant food cost per person is $3,630. That equates to $302.50 per person, per month. The average family of four could end up spending $1,210 per month on groceries.

What is low income California?

According to Covered California income guidelines and salary restrictions, if an individual makes less than $47,520 per year or if a family of four earns wages less than $97,200 per year, then they qualify for government assistance based on their income.

What state has the lowest cost of living?

Mississippi. Mississippi has the lowest cost of living in the United States. With a cost of living index of 83.3, expenses are nearly 17% less than the national average. Mississippi's housing costs are the lowest in the nation.

How do I survive financially in California?

ACCC Provides 5 Tips To Survive The High Cost Of Living In...
  1. Assess Your Financial Situation. Make sure you are not spending more than what's coming in. ...
  2. Cut Back Your Spending. Eliminate unnecessary monthly expenses that you can live without. ...
  3. Save For Emergencies. ...
  4. Stretch Your Meals. ...
  5. Do It Yourself.

Is $21 an hour good in California?

On average, renters in California make an hourly wage of $21.50 an hour, which is 41.2 percent lower than the necessary hourly wage to afford the cost of living.

Is $17 an hour good?

What is this? 17 dollars an hour is how much a year… This is just above $35,000 per year. In this post, we highlighted ways to increase your income as well as tips for living off your wage.

Is it cheaper to live in Texas or California?

The cost of living in Texas is significantly lower. California is 31.4% more expensive than Texas so a large section of the population won't be able to save money in CA. California residents on average have to pay 28.1% more for groceries, 33.1% more for transportation, 47.2% more for childcare, and 14.1% more for ...

Why is it so hard to live in California?

California's high rents and low vacancy rates make it very challenging to rent an apartment in most places in the state. It's especially challenging in desirable locales like the Mission in San Francisco or Culver City in Los Angeles. The first step is to pick an approximate area to live and an approximate price range.

Where can I move in California with no money?

If you're looking for the absolute cheapest place to live in California, you won't find it on this list.
...
  • Eureka. ...
  • Oxnard. ...
  • Redlands. ...
  • Chico. ...
  • Temecula. ...
  • Clovis. ...
  • Vacaville.

Is food more expensive in California?

Is food expensive in California? Food prices in supermarkets are lower than in United States. For example, in California you have to pay for: Bottle or carton of milk (1 liter): 0.95 USD.

Why is California living so expensive?

Some of the key factors influencing the cost of living in California are housing costs, the price of groceries and utilities, the cost of gas, and the demand in very popular parts. You'll also find a real mix of properties and living settings if you consider moving to California.

How do people afford houses in California?

Apart from the ultrarich and real estate investors, most people who buy homes in California receive help from family members, used loans, or both. Even those with high wages still rely on loans, and they only have the advantage of being able to afford the down payment.

Where are most Californians moving to?

During that period, as much as 20% of the population moved each year.
  • #8. New York. ...
  • #7. Florida. ...
  • #6. Colorado. ...
  • #5. Oregon. ...
  • #4. Washington. ...
  • #3. Nevada. – Moved from California to Nevada in 2019: 47,322. ...
  • #2. Arizona. – Moved from California to Arizona in 2019: 59,713. ...
  • #1. Texas. – Moved from California to Texas in 2019: 82,235.

Where should I move from California?

If you're planning to move out of California, then Texas, Arizona, Florida, Nevada, Washington, and Oregon are some of the best states to move to. These states offer plenty of educational and employment opportunities and also have a lower cost of living in comparison to the Golden State.

Is California declining?

(AP) — The nation's most populous state is shrinking. California's population declined again in 2021 for the second consecutive year, state officials said Monday, the result of a slowdown in births and immigration coupled with an increase in deaths and people leaving the state.