Skip to content
FiyatList Cost data

Cost of Living Data profile

Cost of Living in California: Rent, Housing & Income

  • Official data · Census ACS 2024 · BEA 2024 · EIA July–September 2026
Updated  7 sources

Cost of living vs. U.S. average (2024)

10.7% above

Cost of living in California is 10.7% above the U.S. average, based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2024 Regional Price Parities for California (index 110.7; U.S. = 100). Median rent in California is $2,104 a month.

Cost of living in California by category

Overall prices

110.7U.S. = 100

Regional price parity, all items

+10.7% vs. U.S.

Goods
106.1 +6.1%
Housing (rents)
154.3 +54.3%
Utilities
158.9 +58.9%
Other services
102.6 +2.6%

BEA 2024 · California Details: Overall prices

Housing

$2,104/mo

Median gross rent

+41% vs. U.S.

1-bedroom rent
$1,835 +41% vs. U.S.
2-bedroom rent
$2,179 +46% vs. U.S.
3-bedroom rent
$2,431 +45% vs. U.S.
Median home value
$759,500 +111% vs. U.S.
Owner costs, mortgage
$3,001 +47% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 Details: Housing

Utilities

$161/mo

Average electric bill

About the same as U.S.

Electricity price
33.6¢/kWh +84% vs. U.S.
Natural gas, 12-mo avg.
$21.96/Mcf +13% vs. U.S.
Utilities price index
158.9

EIA July 2026 · California Details: Utilities

Transportation

29.7min

Mean travel time to work

+9% vs. U.S.

Commute mode: drove alone
67.3%
Work from home
14.1%
Gasoline (California)
$5.92/gal +36% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 · EIA September 2026 Details: Transportation

Food at home

$1,388/mo

Moderate-cost plan, family of 4

Thrifty plan, family of 4
$1,024/mo
Liberal plan, family of 4
$1,679/mo
Moderate plan, single woman
$403/mo
Moderate plan, single man
$478/mo

USDA August 2026 · U.S. average Details: Food at home

Child care

$353/wk

Center care, infant

+104% vs. U.S.

Center care, toddler
$217/wk +42% vs. U.S.
Center care, preschool
$190/wk +32% vs. U.S.
Home-based care, infant
$246/wk +72% vs. U.S.

DOL NDCP 2022 prices · California county median Details: Child care

Income

$100,149/yr

Median household income

+23% vs. U.S.

Median rent as share of income
25%
Home value to income
7.6×

Census ACS 2024 Details: Income

Housing costs in California

Median gross rent in California is $2,104 a month, 41% above the U.S. median of $1,487. The median falls in the $2,000–$2,499 range, which holds 20.8% of renter households paying cash rent. Another 33.5% pay $2,500 or more.

The median owner-occupied home is valued at $759,500, and 31.4% of homes are valued at $1,000,000 or more.

Housing costs: California vs. U.S.

Median monthly rent

Median monthly rent California: $2,104; U.S.: $1,487 California $2,104 U.S. $1,487

Monthly owner costs

Monthly owner costs California: $3,001; U.S.: $2,035 California $3,001 U.S. $2,035

Median home value

Median home value California: $759,500; U.S.: $360,600 California $759,500 U.S. $360,600
Show the data table
MeasureCaliforniaU.S.
Median monthly rent$2,104$1,487
Monthly owner costs$3,001$2,035
Median home value$759,500$360,600

Rent is median gross rent; owner costs are for homes with a mortgage. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

What renters pay in California

What renters pay in California Share of renter households paying cash rent in California by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $500, holds 3.7%; the top range, $3,500 or more, holds 11.6%. Median $2,104. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than $500: 3.7% (U.S.: 6.1%) $500–$749: 2.8% (U.S.: 6.8%) $750–$999: 4% (U.S.: 11.5%) $1,000–$1,249: 6.5% (U.S.: 13.5%) $1,250–$1,499: 8.1% (U.S.: 12.9%) $1,500–$1,999: 20.7% (U.S.: 22.2%) $2,000–$2,499: 20.8% (U.S.: 13.2%) $2,500–$2,999: 13.7% (U.S.: 6.5%) $3,000–$3,499: 8.2% (U.S.: 3.2%) $3,500 or more: 11.6% (U.S.: 4.2%) $500–750 $1–1.25K $1.5–2K $2.5–3K $3.5K+ Median $2,104 (California) 20.8%
Show the data table
RangeCaliforniaU.S.
Less than $5003.7%6.1%
$500–$7492.8%6.8%
$750–$9994%11.5%
$1,000–$1,2496.5%13.5%
$1,250–$1,4998.1%12.9%
$1,500–$1,99920.7%22.2%
$2,000–$2,49920.8%13.2%
$2,500–$2,99913.7%6.5%
$3,000–$3,4998.2%3.2%
$3,500 or more11.6%4.2%

Share of renter households paying cash rent. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25063. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Home values in California

Home values in California Share of owner-occupied homes in California by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $100,000, holds 4.3%; the top range, $1,500,000 or more, holds 16.3%. Median $759,500. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than $100,000: 4.3% (U.S.: 10.2%) $100,000–$149,999: 1.2% (U.S.: 5.7%) $150,000–$199,999: 1.2% (U.S.: 7.5%) $200,000–$249,999: 1.6% (U.S.: 8.4%) $250,000–$299,999: 1.7% (U.S.: 8.5%) $300,000–$399,999: 6.6% (U.S.: 15.9%) $400,000–$499,999: 8.9% (U.S.: 12%) $500,000–$749,999: 23.7% (U.S.: 16.3%) $750,000–$999,999: 19.3% (U.S.: 7.5%) $1,000,000–$1,499,999: 15.1% (U.S.: 4.3%) $1,500,000 or more: 16.3% (U.S.: 3.7%) <$100K $100–150K $150–200K $250–300K $400–500K $500–750K $750K–1M $1.5M+ Median $759,500 (California) 23.7%
Show the data table
RangeCaliforniaU.S.
Less than $100,0004.3%10.2%
$100,000–$149,9991.2%5.7%
$150,000–$199,9991.2%7.5%
$200,000–$249,9991.6%8.4%
$250,000–$299,9991.7%8.5%
$300,000–$399,9996.6%15.9%
$400,000–$499,9998.9%12%
$500,000–$749,99923.7%16.3%
$750,000–$999,99919.3%7.5%
$1,000,000–$1,499,99915.1%4.3%
$1,500,000 or more16.3%3.7%

Share of owner-occupied homes. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25075. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Monthly housing costs in California

Measure California U.S.
Median rent (all units) $2,104$1,487
1-bedroom rent $1,835$1,301
2-bedroom rent $2,179$1,490
3-bedroom rent $2,431$1,677
Owner costs with a mortgage $3,001$2,035

Median gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Owner costs include the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

How affordable is California?

At the median, rent takes about 25% of household income in California. Housing experts treat 30% as the limit before a household is considered cost-burdened. To keep the median rent at 30% of income, a household would need to earn about $84,200 a year.

The median home is worth $759,500, or 7.6 times the median household income.

Household income in California

The median household in California earns $100,149 a year, 23% above the U.S. median of $81,604. About 21% of households earn $200,000 or more, while 12.6% earn less than $25,000.

Median household income: California vs. U.S.

Median household income (yearly)

Median household income (yearly) California: $100,149; U.S.: $81,604 California $100,149 U.S. $81,604
Show the data table
MeasureCaliforniaU.S.
Median household income (yearly)$100,149$81,604

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Household income distribution in California

Household income distribution in California Share of households in California by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $10,000, holds 4.6%; the top range, $200,000 or more, holds 21%. Median $100,149. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than $10,000: 4.6% (U.S.: 5.1%) $10,000–$14,999: 3% (U.S.: 3.3%) $15,000–$19,999: 2.3% (U.S.: 2.8%) $20,000–$24,999: 2.7% (U.S.: 3.2%) $25,000–$29,999: 2.4% (U.S.: 3%) $30,000–$34,999: 2.6% (U.S.: 3.3%) $35,000–$39,999: 2.6% (U.S.: 3.2%) $40,000–$44,999: 2.8% (U.S.: 3.5%) $45,000–$49,999: 2.5% (U.S.: 3.2%) $50,000–$59,999: 5.2% (U.S.: 6.4%) $60,000–$74,999: 8% (U.S.: 9.2%) $75,000–$99,999: 11.4% (U.S.: 12.6%) $100,000–$124,999: 10.2% (U.S.: 10.4%) $125,000–$149,999: 7.7% (U.S.: 7.4%) $150,000–$199,999: 11.2% (U.S.: 9.7%) $200,000 or more: 21% (U.S.: 13.7%) $10–15K $20–25K $30–35K $40–45K $50–60K $75–100K $125–150K $200K+ Median $100,149 (California) 21%
Show the data table
RangeCaliforniaU.S.
Less than $10,0004.6%5.1%
$10,000–$14,9993%3.3%
$15,000–$19,9992.3%2.8%
$20,000–$24,9992.7%3.2%
$25,000–$29,9992.4%3%
$30,000–$34,9992.6%3.3%
$35,000–$39,9992.6%3.2%
$40,000–$44,9992.8%3.5%
$45,000–$49,9992.5%3.2%
$50,000–$59,9995.2%6.4%
$60,000–$74,9998%9.2%
$75,000–$99,99911.4%12.6%
$100,000–$124,99910.2%10.4%
$125,000–$149,9997.7%7.4%
$150,000–$199,99911.2%9.7%
$200,000 or more21%13.7%

Share of households. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B19001. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Income and home values

Measure California U.S.
Median household income (yearly) $100,149$81,604
Median home value $759,500$360,600

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Price levels compared with the U.S.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities: price levels for the same basket of goods and services, with the U.S. average set to 100. In 2024, California scored 110.7 for all items. The highest category is utilities at 158.9; the lowest is other services at 102.6.

Regional price parities by category (U.S. = 100)

All items

All items California: 110.7; U.S.: 100.0 California 110.7 U.S. 100.0

Goods

Goods California: 106.1; U.S.: 99.6 California 106.1 U.S. 99.6

Housing (rents)

Housing (rents) California: 154.3; U.S.: 100.6 California 154.3 U.S. 100.6

Utilities

Utilities California: 158.9; U.S.: 98.4 California 158.9 U.S. 98.4

Other services

Other services California: 102.6; U.S.: 100.1 California 102.6 U.S. 100.1
Show the data table
MeasureCaliforniaU.S.
All items110.7100.0
Goods106.199.6
Housing (rents)154.3100.6
Utilities158.998.4
Other services102.6100.1

Index, U.S. = 100. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities, 2024. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities

Utilities and energy costs

Households in California paid an average of 33.6¢ per kWh for electricity in July 2026, compared with 18.3¢ nationally. Over the past 12 months the average residential bill was $161 a month (U.S.: $157). Residential natural gas averaged $21.96 per thousand cubic feet over the 12 months to July 2026 (U.S.: $19.40).

Energy prices: California vs. U.S.

Electricity price (¢/kWh)

Electricity price (¢/kWh) California: 33.6¢; U.S.: 18.3¢ California 33.6¢ U.S. 18.3¢

Average electric bill (monthly)

Average electric bill (monthly) California: $161; U.S.: $157 California $161 U.S. $157

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf) California: $21.96; U.S.: $19.40 California $21.96 U.S. $19.40
Show the data table
MeasureCaliforniaU.S.
Electricity price (¢/kWh)33.6¢18.3¢
Average electric bill (monthly)$161$157
Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)$21.96$19.40

Residential customers. Electricity price for July 2026; electric bill and natural gas are 12-month averages. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly: residential retail sales; EIA Natural Gas Monthly: price delivered to residential consumers

Transportation and commuting

Workers in California who commute spend an average of 29.7 minutes getting to work (U.S.: 27.2 minutes). The most common way to get to work is to drive alone (67.3% of workers); 14.1% work from home. Regular gasoline averaged $5.92 a gallon in California in September 2026, compared with $4.36 nationally.

How workers get to work

How workers get to work California: Drove alone 67.3%, Carpooled 10.2%, Public transit 3.3%, Walked 2.5%, Bicycle 0.8%, Worked from home 14.1%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.9%. U.S.: Drove alone 69.2%, Carpooled 9.2%, Public transit 3.7%, Walked 2.4%, Bicycle 0.5%, Worked from home 13.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. Most common in California: Drove alone. California California · Drove alone: 67.3% 67.3% California · Carpooled: 10.2% California · Public transit: 3.3% California · Walked: 2.5% California · Bicycle: 0.8% California · Worked from home: 14.1% 14.1% California · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.9% U.S. U.S. · Drove alone: 69.2% 69.2% U.S. · Carpooled: 9.2% U.S. · Public transit: 3.7% U.S. · Walked: 2.4% U.S. · Bicycle: 0.5% U.S. · Worked from home: 13.3% 13.3% U.S. · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7%
Show the data table
Means of transportationCaliforniaU.S.
Drove alone67.3%69.2%
Carpooled10.2%9.2%
Public transit3.3%3.7%
Walked2.5%2.4%
Bicycle0.8%0.5%
Worked from home14.1%13.3%
Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.)1.9%1.7%

Share of workers 16 and over. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08301. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Travel time to work in California

Travel time to work in California Share of workers who do not work from home in California by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than 5 min, holds 1.9%; the top range, 90 min or more, holds 4.1%. Mean 29.7 min. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than 5 min: 1.9% (U.S.: 2.8%) 5–9 min: 7.3% (U.S.: 9.4%) 10–14 min: 11.8% (U.S.: 13.1%) 15–19 min: 14.6% (U.S.: 15%) 20–24 min: 14.6% (U.S.: 14.1%) 25–29 min: 6.6% (U.S.: 7%) 30–34 min: 15.2% (U.S.: 13.7%) 35–39 min: 2.8% (U.S.: 3.4%) 40–44 min: 4.5% (U.S.: 4.1%) 45–59 min: 8.7% (U.S.: 8.3%) 60–89 min: 8% (U.S.: 6.3%) 90 min or more: 4.1% (U.S.: 3%) <5 5–9 10–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–59 60–89 90+ Mean 29.7 min (California) 15.2%
Show the data table
RangeCaliforniaU.S.
Less than 5 min1.9%2.8%
5–9 min7.3%9.4%
10–14 min11.8%13.1%
15–19 min14.6%15%
20–24 min14.6%14.1%
25–29 min6.6%7%
30–34 min15.2%13.7%
35–39 min2.8%3.4%
40–44 min4.5%4.1%
45–59 min8.7%8.3%
60–89 min8%6.3%
90 min or more4.1%3%

Share of workers who do not work from home. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08303. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Child care costs in California

In 2022, full-time center-based care for an infant had a median price of $353 a week in the median California county, or $18,373 over 52 weeks. That is 104% above the U.S. county median of $174. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation.

Weekly child care prices (2022)

Type of care California (county median) U.S. (county median)
Center-based care, infant $353$174
Center-based care, toddler $217$153
Center-based care, preschool $190$144
Center-based care, school-age $110$120
Home-based family care, infant $246$143
Home-based family care, toddler $219$132
Home-based family care, preschool $207$131
Home-based family care, school-age $199$118

Median weekly price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures are medians of county medians. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation. U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Source: National Database of Childcare Prices (U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau)

Food costs

USDA's moderate-cost food plan puts groceries for a family of four at $1,388 a month in August 2026; the thrifty plan comes to $1,024. USDA publishes these as national averages, not city figures, so they show a typical grocery budget rather than California prices.

Monthly cost of food at home (August 2026)

USDA food plan U.S. family of 4 U.S. couple U.S. single man U.S. single woman
Thrifty $1,024$630$383$304
Low-cost $1,126$652$381$331
Moderate-cost $1,388$808$478$403
Liberal $1,679$1,007$583$515

Family of 4: two adults and two children aged 6–8 and 9–11. For a single man, the Thrifty plan costs more than the Low-cost plan: USDA re-evaluated the Thrifty plan in 2021, while the other plans still use older market baskets. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Official Food Plans, August 2026. Source: USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (monthly reports)

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in California?

Median rent is $1,835 for a one-bedroom and $2,179 for a two-bedroom unit, including utilities the renter pays.

How much do most renters pay in California?

Among renter households paying cash rent, 10.5% pay less than $1,000 a month, 35.3% pay $1,000 to $1,999, and 54.3% pay $2,000 or more (Census ACS 2024).

How much do you need to make to live in California?

To keep the median rent of $2,104 at no more than 30% of income, a household needs about $84,200 a year before taxes. This covers housing only.

Is California more expensive than the U.S. average?

Yes. The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts overall prices in California at 110.7 for 2024 (U.S. = 100), 10.7% above average. Housing rents score 154.3.

How long is the average commute in California?

29.7 minutes one way for workers who commute, compared with 27.2 minutes nationally (Census ACS 2024).

How much does infant day care cost in California?

The median price for full-time center-based infant care was $353 a week in the median California county in 2022, according to the Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices.