Cost of living in California
California, USA
compared to
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Cost of living in California vs. United States overall average
California is 15.1% more expensive than United States overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 10.4% more in California
- Groceries
-
pay 10.2% more in California
- Transportation
-
pay 9.1% more in California
- Housing
-
pay 26.2% more in California
- Childcare
-
pay 31.6% more in California
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 15.7% more in California
- Clothing
-
pay 2.2% more in California
The cost of childcare, housing, entertainment and sports, restaurants, groceries, and transportation in California are more expensive than in United States.
California Cost of Living Breakdown
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant | $21.02 |
$13.35
-
$38.32
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$11.52 |
$10.14
-
$14.67
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) | $2.71 |
$1.89
-
$4.17
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) | $2.16 |
$1.62
-
$3.56
|
California - Cost of restaurants
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$4.14 |
$2.44
-
$6.49
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) | $6.95 |
$3.98
-
$13.69
|
| Milk (1 gallon) | $4.61 |
$3.36
-
$6.57
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$4.33 |
$2.87
-
$6.80
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) | $5.70 |
$3.02
-
$10.24
|
| Apples (1 lb) | $2.34 |
$1.34
-
$4.33
|
| Bananas (1 lb) | $0.92 |
$0.62
-
$2.16
|
| Oranges (1 lb) | $1.91 |
$0.99
-
$4.18
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | $2.38 |
$1.10
-
$4.07
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) | $1.39 |
$0.68
-
$3.19
|
| Onions (1 lb) | $1.44 |
$0.82
-
$2.75
|
California - Cost of groceries
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) | $4.83 |
$4.41
-
$5.60
|
| Monthly public transit pass | $62.05 |
$55.74
-
$84.87
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) | $30,005.28 |
$27,063.42
-
$37,186.48
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) | $20.07 |
$19.54
-
$29.83
|
California - Cost of transportation
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$68.54 |
$50.69
-
$111.20
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area | $2,371.29 |
$2,041.23
-
$2,816.43
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center | $2,055.18 |
$1,743.10
-
$2,368.98
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$171.68 |
$99.64
-
$320.99
|
California - Cost of housing
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly | $1,682.51 |
$1,258.34
-
$2,327.08
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters | $30,905.75 |
$24,716.38
-
$38,143.31
|
California - Cost of childcare
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) | $7.00 |
$4.71
-
$10.70
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area | $5.34 |
$3.63
-
$7.29
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$10.91 |
$9.18
-
$14.42
|
| Monthly membership at local gym | $66.35 |
$30.65
-
$92.87
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema | $14.41 |
$11.41
-
$19.60
|
California - Cost of entertainment and sports
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$52.77 |
$30.00
-
$78.84
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$40.15 |
$23.75
-
$68.19
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$85.15 |
$56.50
-
$135.92
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) | $117.31 |
$69.44
-
$212.99
|
California - Cost of clothing
These numbers reflect the average prices of 177 cities in the state of California, such as
Baywood-Los Osos,
Livermore,
American Canyon,
Monterey Park,
Coachella,
and more. To view the cost of living in a specific city in California, search for a city above.
For a detailed breakdown of Santa Cruz vs. the national average, see the cost of living in United States compared to California.
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