Cost of living comparison
California is 3.0% more expensive than Massachusetts.
- Restaurants
-
pay 4.2% more in California
- Groceries
-
pay 0.9% less in California
- Transportation
-
pay 7.1% more in California
- Housing
-
pay 10.9% more in California
- Childcare
-
pay 1.3% more in California
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 3.0% less in California
- Clothing
-
pay 1.1% more in California
The cost of housing, transportation, restaurants, childcare, and clothing in California are more expensive than in Massachusetts. Expenses including entertainment and sports and groceries are lower in California.
If you lived in California instead of Massachusetts, you would:
pay 4.2% more for restaurants
|
Massachusetts
|
California
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$21.19
|
$21.02
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$10.79
|
$11.52
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.62
|
$2.71
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.01
|
$2.16
|
|
pay 0.9% less for groceries
|
Massachusetts
|
California
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$3.71
|
$4.14
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$7.31
|
$6.95
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$4.52
|
$4.61
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$4.50
|
$4.33
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$4.98
|
$5.70
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$2.53
|
$2.34
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.77
|
$0.92
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$2.15
|
$1.91
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.69
|
$2.38
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.71
|
$1.39
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$1.44
|
$1.44
|
|
pay 7.1% more for transportation
|
Massachusetts
|
California
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$3.51
|
$4.83
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$71.71
|
$62.05
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$33,785.54
|
$30,005.28
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$17.40
|
$20.07
|
|
pay 10.9% more for housing
|
Massachusetts
|
California
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$68.08
|
$68.54
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$2,074.76
|
$2,371.29
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$1,940.55
|
$2,055.18
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$139.83
|
$171.68
|
|
pay 1.3% more for childcare
|
Massachusetts
|
California
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,960.62
|
$1,682.51
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$26,428.57
|
$30,905.75
|
|
pay 3.0% less for entertainment and sports
|
Massachusetts
|
California
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$6.63
|
$7.00
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$5.00
|
$5.34
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$12.10
|
$10.91
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$81.60
|
$66.35
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$14.20
|
$14.41
|
|
pay 1.1% more for clothing
|
Massachusetts
|
California
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$50.62
|
$52.77
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$41.05
|
$40.15
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$83.58
|
$85.15
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$116.52
|
$117.31
|
|
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