Cost of living in California
compared to
Cost of living in California vs. United States overall average
California is 2.9% more expensive than United States overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 10.6% less in California
- Groceries
-
pay 14.9% more in California
- Transportation
-
pay 0.4% more in California
- Housing
-
pay 14.9% less in California
- Childcare
-
pay 17.9% more in California
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 4.9% more in California
- Clothing
-
pay 7.6% more in California
The cost of childcare, groceries, clothing, entertainment and sports, and transportation in California are more expensive than in United States. Expenses including housing and restaurants are lower in California.
California Cost of Living Breakdown
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant | $9.00 |
$6.31
-
$60.00
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$10.00 |
$10.00
-
$20.00
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) | $2.60 |
$2.00
-
$5.00
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) | $2.40 |
$2.00
-
$5.00
|
California - Cost of restaurants
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$3.78 |
$2.20
-
$5.51
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) | $6.61 |
$4.41
-
$11.02
|
| Milk (1 gallon) | $3.58 |
$2.00
-
$4.50
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$5.46 |
$2.00
-
$7.00
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) | $6.49 |
$2.99
-
$12.00
|
| Apples (1 lb) | $2.00 |
$1.00
-
$3.00
|
| Bananas (1 lb) | $0.93 |
$0.59
-
$2.00
|
| Oranges (1 lb) | $2.00 |
$2.00
-
$5.00
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | $3.00 |
$3.00
-
$5.00
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) | $2.00 |
$2.00
-
$3.00
|
| Onions (1 lb) | $1.83 |
$1.00
-
$2.00
|
California - Cost of groceries
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) | $3.16 |
$2.92
-
$4.29
|
| Monthly public transit pass | $81.50 |
$63.00
-
$100.00
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) | $33,190.00 |
$33,190.00
-
$36,328.50
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) | $14.58 |
$13.24
-
$16.43
|
California - Cost of transportation
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$62.50 |
$50.00
-
$75.00
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area | $1,708.67 |
$426.00
-
$3,200.00
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center | $1,316.67 |
$850.00
-
$2,200.00
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$81.19 |
$68.82
-
$224.06
|
California - Cost of housing
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly | $1,833.33 |
$980.00
-
$3,434.00
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters | $24,000.00 |
$24,000.00
-
$24,000.00
|
California - Cost of childcare
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) | $5.00 |
$2.21
-
$8.00
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area | $5.60 |
$3.75
-
$8.00
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$9.00 |
$8.00
-
$12.50
|
| Monthly membership at local gym | $40.00 |
??
-
??
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema | $22.00 |
$15.00
-
$25.00
|
California - Cost of entertainment and sports
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$53.75 |
$40.00
-
$120.00
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$47.50 |
$40.00
-
$85.00
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$83.75 |
$60.00
-
$140.00
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) | $130.00 |
$75.00
-
$200.00
|
California - Cost of clothing
Tip: Try viewing our aggregate cost of living in Maryland
to see the average cost of cities throughout Maryland, like
Westminster,
Hagerstown,
Hyattsville,
Chevy Chase,
Waldorf,
and more.
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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