Cost of living in California
compared to
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
Simi Valley,
Boron,
Sacramento,
Rancho Cucamonga,
Beverly Hills,
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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