Cost of living comparison
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.
If you lived in California instead of United States, you would:
pay 10.4% more for restaurants
United States
|
California
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$18.59
|
$21.02
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$10.47
|
$11.52
|
|
Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.50
|
$2.71
|
|
Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$1.96
|
$2.16
|
|
pay 10.2% more for groceries
United States
|
California
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$3.49
|
$4.14
|
|
Local cheese (8 oz) |
$6.33
|
$6.95
|
|
Milk (1 gallon) |
$3.91
|
$4.61
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$3.56
|
$4.33
|
|
Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$5.16
|
$5.70
|
|
Apples (1 lb) |
$2.33
|
$2.34
|
|
Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.78
|
$0.92
|
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
$2.00
|
$1.91
|
|
Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.16
|
$2.38
|
|
Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.34
|
$1.39
|
|
Onions (1 lb) |
$1.38
|
$1.44
|
|
pay 9.1% more for transportation
United States
|
California
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$3.61
|
$4.83
|
|
Monthly public transit pass |
$65.15
|
$62.05
|
|
New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$31,583.67
|
$30,005.28
|
|
Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$17.81
|
$20.07
|
|
pay 26.2% more for housing
United States
|
California
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$67.50
|
$68.54
|
|
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,655.99
|
$2,371.29
|
|
1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$1,423.40
|
$2,055.18
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$148.34
|
$171.68
|
|
pay 31.6% more for childcare
United States
|
California
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,351.84
|
$1,682.51
|
|
Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$22,265.44
|
$30,905.75
|
|
pay 15.7% more for entertainment and sports
United States
|
California
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$5.78
|
$7.00
|
|
Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$5.04
|
$5.34
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$9.68
|
$10.91
|
|
Monthly membership at local gym |
$50.84
|
$66.35
|
|
Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$13.30
|
$14.41
|
|
pay 2.2% more for clothing
United States
|
California
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$50.38
|
$52.77
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$40.66
|
$40.15
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$85.52
|
$85.15
|
|
Men's business shoes (leather) |
$111.08
|
$117.31
|
|
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