Cost of living comparison
California is 20.8% more expensive than Alaska.
- Restaurants
-
pay 4.9% less in California
- Groceries
-
pay 9.3% less in California
- Transportation
-
pay 14.9% more in California
- Housing
-
pay 19.3% more in California
- Childcare
-
pay 2.4 times more in California
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 6.1% less in California
- Clothing
-
pay 6.9% less in California
The cost of childcare, housing, and transportation in California are more expensive than in Alaska. Expenses including groceries, clothing, entertainment and sports, and restaurants are lower in California. Notably, childcare is significantly more expensive in California.
If you lived in California instead of Alaska, you would:
pay 4.9% less for restaurants
|
Alaska
|
California
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$26.50
|
$21.02
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$12.71
|
$11.52
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.60
|
$2.71
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.03
|
$2.16
|
|
pay 9.3% less for groceries
|
Alaska
|
California
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$4.74
|
$4.14
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$7.90
|
$6.95
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$4.55
|
$4.61
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$3.69
|
$4.33
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$6.20
|
$5.70
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$3.35
|
$2.34
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$1.11
|
$0.92
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$2.54
|
$1.91
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.93
|
$2.38
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.26
|
$1.39
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$1.56
|
$1.44
|
|
pay 14.9% more for transportation
|
Alaska
|
California
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$4.22
|
$4.83
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$51.67
|
$62.05
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$27,113.17
|
$30,005.28
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$17.54
|
$20.07
|
|
pay 19.3% more for housing
|
Alaska
|
California
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$122.81
|
$68.54
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,483.44
|
$2,371.29
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$1,298.81
|
$2,055.18
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$165.96
|
$171.68
|
|
pay 2.4 times more for childcare
|
Alaska
|
California
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$943.88
|
$1,682.51
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$10,350.00
|
$30,905.75
|
|
pay 6.1% less for entertainment and sports
|
Alaska
|
California
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$7.04
|
$7.00
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$4.94
|
$5.34
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$12.02
|
$10.91
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$105.42
|
$66.35
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$13.32
|
$14.41
|
|
pay 6.9% less for clothing
|
Alaska
|
California
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$54.68
|
$52.77
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$48.00
|
$40.15
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$87.93
|
$85.15
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$123.00
|
$117.31
|
|
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