Cost of Living in California

The population of the state of California is roughly 39,776,830—that’s almost double the population of New York, which lands at 19,862,512. With that many people, the costs of living can vary quite a bit from town to town.
Here are some popular towns in California, and how much it costs to live there. Before your next move or visit, consider which area in California you would like to go to.

Cost of living in Oakland

Situated in the East Bay, near San Francisco, Oakland possesses the most movie theaters, theater companies, and museums per square mile of any U.S. city. If you’re more familiar with cities whose cost of living is closer to the national average, like Houston or Cleveland, you may be surprised by the high cost of living in Oakland.

While the cost of living in Oakland may be a bit higher, there are tons of things to do in this town for free. Check out the beaches on the coastal shorefront, visit museums and learn the history of the area, the Oakland Zoo is also free for children under two and gives discounted admission to those who makes a reservation.

The overall cost of living in Oakland is 49% higher than the national average. Breaking the cost down further, we can see how different categories compare to the national average:

  • The cost for housing is a shocking 117% above the national average
  • The cost in public transportation is 30% above the national average
  • The cost of groceries is 25% above the national average

Cost of living in Los Angeles

The city was a major center of shipbuilding and aircraft manufacture during the middle of the twentieth century. Since then, it has become famous for things like movies and freeway traffic. As with Oakland, the cost of living in Los Angles may come as a shock to those who are familiar with cities with a cost of living closer to the national average.

To afford the slightly higher cost of living, it is common to take out a small secured loan to get a head start on mortgages, rent, transportation, etc.
The overall cost of living in Los Angeles is 43% higher than the national average. Breaking the cost of living down further:

  • The cost for housing is a staggering 127% above the national average
  • The cost in public transportation is 31% above the national average
  • The cost of groceries is 25% above the national average

Cost of living in Sacramento

Sacramento is more than just the state capital. It’s a great jumping off point to visit either San Francisco or Lake Tahoe. While not as outrageously-costed as Los Angeles and Oakland, Sacramento’s cost of living is still quite high.
Sacramento is California’s sixth capital since 1854. In the past, the state capitals of California have been, San Jose, Vallejo, Benicia, Sacramento, San Francisco, and then back to Sacramento.
The overall cost of living in Sacramento is 16% higher than the national average. A more in-depth breakdown shows us that:

  • The cost for housing is 36% above the national average
  • The cost in public transportation is 22% above the national average
  • The cost of groceries is 16% above the national average

Cost of living in Riverside

Riverside is famous for its diverse economy, which still boasts an important manufacturing sector. Because of its nearness to Hollywood and array of architectural features, it’s also a popular location for movie shots. Compared to other cities in California, Riverside actually seems affordable, despite having a cost of living well-above the national average.
The overall cost of living in Riverside is 26% higher than the national average. Looking at a breakdown of cost of living by a few different categories shows:

  • The cost for housing is 73% above the national average
  • The cost in public transportation is 10% above the national average
  • The cost of groceries is 8% above the national average

Cost of living in San Bernardino

San Bernardino hosts a number of interesting events, like the Rendezvous Back to Route 66 car show and the National Orange Show Festival. It’s also home to a number of diplomatic consulates. Despite being less well-known compared to other cities in California, San Bernardino has a cost of living higher than some major cities.

The overall cost of living in San Bernardino is 21% higher than the national average. Some of the different cost of living categories break down to:

  • The cost for housing is 53% above the national average
  • The cost in public transportation is 13% above the national average
  • The cost of groceries is 8% above the national average

Cost of living in San Diego

San Diego is home to the famous San Diego Zoo and, according to The Weather Channel, one of the top two best summer climates in the United States. As far as cost of living goes however, it’s right up there with Oakland and Los Angeles.
Being along the coastline, San Diego is packed with tons of beaches and water activities that are great for a vacation, or a weekend day trip.
The overall cost of living in San Diego is 44% higher than the national average. A breakdown of some of the cost of living categories shows:

  • The cost for housing is an enormous 135% above the national average
  • The cost in public transportation is 28% above the national average
  • The cost of groceries is 12% above the national average

Whether you are planning a move, taking a vacation, or just heading out for a fun day trip, California can be a fun and exciting place. Now you have some knowledge about the area, you can travel to California and feel confident in where you’re going.

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