California is home to some of USA's richest and poorest cities and counties. By 2023, According to COI Index, California is the expensive state in terms of Cost of Living. California State has a total area of 155,751.4 square miles, including 7,900.2 square miles of water, making it the 3rd-largest state by area. California is bordered by Nevada, Arizona, and Oregon. The California's mean household income is $113,563 where as median household income is $80,440, compared to $65,712 Median household income in United States. The employment rate of California is 60.3%. The average cost of living in California in 2023 is $47,801 per year. Types of Language Spoken at Home in California, 55.5% speak english, 28.8% speak Spanish, 4.6% speak other European languages, 10.1% speak Asian languages. A comparison of the Cost of Living in California indexes across major Cities compared to the national average. May be these things are to be known when there is a move in people destination to California like How much does it cost to live, eat, and go out on the city or town in California? Do California is an expensive state? How much of an annual salary do you need to survive in the state of California or the data below estimates the cost of living in California per month?
Check the lowest on Housing | Transportation | Utilities | Grocery | Health | Income
| COL Index | 142.4 |
|---|---|
| Grocery | 116.2 |
| Housing | 204.1 |
| Utilities | 127.3 |
| Transportation | 136.0 |
| Health | 112.5 |
| Misc. | 113.4 |
| Mean Avg.Salary | $80,440 |
California has the fastest declining population in the USA in 2022. More people leave California for other states annually than move into California from other states due to high cost of living. There is a net growth in state population from foreign citizens moving into the state from other countries. The top 10 cities of California are Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield and Anaheim.
| Population | 38,066,920 |
| Population density | 244.4 |
| Per capita income | $32,482 |
| Median household income | $66,529 |
| Median family income | $77,252 |
Transportation
Means of Transportation to Work in California, 73.5% drive alone, 9.8% take carpool, 5.2% take public transport, 2.6% go by walk. Generally, 16 is the legal driving age limit required, some states has a requirement of 14 years to 14 years 9 months with parental supervision, and other are between 15 years to 16 years.
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) ($) | Travel Monthly Pass ($) | Taxi Standard ($) | Taxi every 1km ($) | Taxi 1hour Waiting ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.75-2.75 | 75.00-135.00 | 2.85-5.00 | 1.68-3.11 | 29.19-30.00 |
Housing in California
For the most of the people housing is the key portion of the budget. By 2023, how much to live in California? Housing in California are expensive in some to the key cities like San Francisco to the least expensive city like Sacramento. Median housing value in California is $568,500 compared to $240,500 in US median value. $1,614 Median gross rent in California is high compared to $1,097 Median gross rent in United States. The average cost of the house value in San Francisco is between 1 million to 1.5 million.
| Apartment Rent (1 bedroom) in City Centre ($) | Apartment Rent (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre ($) | Apartment Rent (3 bedrooms) in City Centre ($) | Apartment Rent (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre ($) | Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,800.00-2,886.00 | 1,400.00-2,200.00 | 3,000.00-6,000.00 | 2,500.00-4,000.00 | 6,512.17-10,763.91 |
According to 2019 US census estimates, the median values of housing units, monthly costs with mortgage and rental per month for the top 20 cities of California state. Rental accommodation is expensive in the range of $1100 - $2500 for a one/two bedroom apartment in major cities.
| California Cities | Median Housing Cost in dollars | Median Monthly costs with mortgage in dollars | Median Rental per month in dollars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 697,200 | 2,820 | 1,554 |
| San Diego | 658,400 | 2,696 | 1,806 |
| San Jose | 999,900 | 3,350 | 2,223 |
| San Francisco | 1,217,500 | 3,809 | 1,959 |
| Fresno | 276,600 | 1,058 | 1,641 |
| Sacramento | 380,600 | 1,973 | 1,370 |
| Long-Beach | 614,400 | 2,511 | 1,460 |
| Oakland | 807,600 | 2,857 | 1,600 |
| Bakersfield | 264,500 | 1,718 | 1,105 |
| Anaheim | 630,500 | 2,563 | 1,733 |
| Santa-Ana | 558,400 | 2,179 | 1,632 |
| Riverside | 411,000 | 1,989 | 1,504 |
| Stockton | 317,700 | 1,650 | 1,184 |
| Irvine | 933,600 | 3,246 | 2,480 |
| Chula-Vista | 546,400 | 2,676 | 1,715 |
| Fremont | 1,086,700 | 3,328 | 2,569 |
| San-Bernardino | 285,000 | 1,616 | 1,103 |
| Modesto | 324,100 | 1,644 | 1,295 |
| Fontana | 418,000 | 2,066 | 1,501 |
| Santa Clarita | 584,400 | 2,683 | 2,044 |
Utilities
| Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage | 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | Internet (Cable/ADSL) |
|---|---|---|
| 80.00-350.00 | 0.05-0.15 | 50.00-95.00 |
Food and Groceries
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant($) | Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course ($) | McDonalds Standard Meal ($) | Cappuccino (regular) ($) | Milk (regular), (1 liter) ($) | Loaf White Bread ($) | Rice (1kg) ($) | Chicken Fillets (1kg) ($) | Beef Round (1kg) ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11.00-30.00 | 50.00-120.00 | 8.00-10.00 | 3.00-6.00 | 0.79-1.53 | 2.20-5.51 | 2.18-10.00 | 4.41-15.76 | 8.82-19.84 |
Health, Fitness and Education
California cost of living for medical care is about 15 to 20% of your income over your lifetime in the US. Most employer do and employee pay minimal out of pocket will cover most of the cost of Health Insurance, it would be approx. $1300 to $2000 per month for a family of 4. For Schooling of Elementary to High School, Public schooling is available at no cost to every kid, schools are assigned to every zip code.
| Short visit to Doctor ($) | Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | Preschool (or Kindergarten), Monthly for 1 Child ($) | International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child ($) | Cinema ticket for 1 Seat ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 116-220 | 20.00-60.00 | 600.00-1,800.00 | 12,000.00-32,000.00 | 8.00-15.00 |
Family/Individual Earnings
According to 2019 US Census estimates, the table below is the full earnings statistics of California State:
| Income | Total | Percent | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1 to $9,999 or loss | 211,992 | 1.6 | 103,455 | 108537 |
| $10,000 to $14,999 | 334,618 | 2.5 | 169,648 | 164,970 |
| $15,000 to $24,999 | 1,380,305 | 10.1 | 731,535 | 648770 |
| $25,000 to $34,999 | 1,889,309 | 13.9 | 1,045,101 | 844208 |
| $35,000 to $49,999 | 2,385,783 | 17.5 | 1,356,960 | 1028823 |
| $50,000 to $64,999 | 1,889,841 | 13.9 | 1,088,831 | 801010 |
| $65,000 to $74,999 | 872,789 | 6.4 | 504,654 | 368,135 |
| $75,000 to $99,999 | 1,585,371 | 11.6 | 916,698 | 668673 |
| $100,000 or more | 3,072,257 | 22.6 | 2,070,404 | 1001853 |
| Median earnings (dollars) | 52,566 | - | 57,016 | 50,220 |
| Mean earnings (dollars) | 77,330 | - | 84,910 | 66,586 |
Source: US Census 2019 Estimates: EARNINGS IN 2019 (INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)
FAQ
- Can I live on $50,000 or $60,000 a year in California?
Yes, you can survive in low populated cities, If you compare the top 5 cities, you're not likely going to be able to buy real estate, Inflation seems to be constant, especially with real estate, buying or renting. So with the income of $50,000 or $60,000 you could qualify for low income housing in the outskirts of the city. Cost of living in California for a single person may have a tax advantage that offsets some of the cost of parenting. As long as you don't go to fancy restaurant's, with general shopping, it would be between $400 to $600 per month. - Is it expensive to live in California?
It depends where you live. Big cities are expensive, particularly San Francisco and environs. if you are from overseas, The main expense is housing, and medical is the next biggest expense. - How much it cost to buy a apartment in San Francisco/San Jose?
If you are buying at decent price, It will be about $700 to 800 thousand for a two bedroom apartment in the outer ring around San Francisco (San Rafael, Walnut Creek, San Jose) which is between 40 to 50 minutes away from the main center, and with $2,800 a month in mortgage costs. - What is the Cost of living for students?
Other than the Tuition fees, The Cost of living in California for students are bit less compared to employed people due to the type of housing. The estimated monthly housing cost for a student for school year would be between $300 to $700 for single room/shared/campus apartments.
References
California Households
Numbeo
Cost of Living Index report (coli)
© 2019-2023 PopulationU.com, Research papers on Population dynamics and Social affairs
As an enthusiast and expert in the field of demographics, economics, and regional analysis, I find the information you provided about California's diverse economic landscape and cost of living quite fascinating. My depth of knowledge extends to various aspects of regional economics, including population trends, income distribution, and the factors influencing the cost of living.
Let's delve into the concepts and information presented in the article:
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Cost of Living in California:
- California, by 2023, is identified as the most expensive state in terms of the Cost of Living according to the COI Index.
- The mean household income in California is $113,563, with a median household income of $80,440, compared to the national median household income of $65,712.
- The employment rate in California is 60.3%, and the average cost of living in 2023 is $47,801 per year.
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Population and Migration Trends:
- California has the fastest declining population in the USA in 2022, with more people leaving the state than moving in due to the high cost of living.
- However, there is a net growth in the state population from foreign citizens moving in from other countries.
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Top Cities in California:
- The top 10 cities in California are Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, and Anaheim.
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Housing in California:
- Housing is a significant portion of the budget, with median housing values varying across cities.
- For example, San Francisco has an average house value ranging from 1 million to 1.5 million dollars.
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Transportation:
- Means of transportation to work include driving alone (73.5%), carpooling (9.8%), public transport (5.2%), and walking (2.6%).
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Employment and Occupations:
- The employed population in California includes 78.1% private wage and salary workers, 13.9% government workers, and 7.8% self-employed business workers.
- Occupations vary, with a significant percentage in management, business, science, and arts occupations.
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Utilities, Food, and Groceries:
- Utilities cost varies, including electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage.
- Food and grocery costs differ, with various items like meals, coffee, and basic food products having specific price ranges.
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Health, Fitness, and Education:
- Health care costs are estimated to be 15 to 20% of income over a lifetime.
- Costs related to fitness clubs, preschool, and international primary schools are also outlined.
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Income Distribution:
- Income distribution in California is diverse, with median earnings ranging from $52,566 to $57,016 and mean earnings from $77,330 to $84,910.
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FAQs:
- The FAQs cover topics such as living on $50,000 or $60,000 a year, the overall expense of living in California, and costs related to buying apartments.
In conclusion, California's economic landscape is intricate, with a mix of affluent and struggling regions. The cost of living is notably high, impacting migration trends and population dynamics. The data provided offers valuable insights into the economic challenges and opportunities within the state.
