Cost of Living in California
Based on 9 cities we track in California.
Cost of living in California is shaped mostly by rent across the 9 cities we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $1,688 a month — 42% higher than the $1,191 median across the 28 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $83,969, 17% higher than the $71,716 median across the states we track. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax.
State Medians
Median 1BR Rent
$1,688
Median Home Value
$771,700
Median Income
$83,969
Avg Temperature
64.4°F
Medians across the California cities we track — not a statewide population-weighted figure.
State Taxes
State Sales Tax
7.25%
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 13.30%
Cities in California
Compare California with
California cost of living — FAQ
- Is California expensive to live in?
- California is among the most expensive of the 28 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $1,688 ranks #4 of 28 and is 42% higher than the $1,191 median.
- What is the average rent in California?
- Across the 9 cities we track in California, average rent runs a studio around $1,468, a one-bedroom around $1,688, a two-bedroom around $2,148, a three-bedroom around $2,489 per month (US Census ACS).
- What is the median home price in California?
- The median home value across the cities we track in California is $771,700 — 143% higher than the $317,950 median across the states we track.
- Does California have a state income tax?
- Yes — California's top state income tax rate is 13.30% (most filers pay less than the top rate). Its state sales tax rate is 7.25%; local jurisdictions may add more.
- How much do you need to earn to live in California?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,688 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $68,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in California is $83,969.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).