WhereDoIMove?

State guide

Cost of living in California

15 California cities in the dataset, ranked cheapest first. We model an effective 4.2% state income tax at middle incomes. Combined state + average local sales tax runs about 8.8%.

1
Fresno

pop 545K · rent $1,470 · est. $4,028/mo · comfortable on $75,000/yr

Salary →
2
Bakersfield

pop 417K · rent $1,500 · est. $4,053/mo · comfortable on $75,500/yr

Salary →
3
Stockton

pop 321K · rent $1,680 · est. $4,206/mo · comfortable on $79,000/yr

Salary →
4
Sacramento

pop 525K · rent $1,850 · est. $4,351/mo · comfortable on $82,000/yr

Salary →
5
Riverside

pop 320K · rent $2,050 · est. $4,521/mo · comfortable on $85,500/yr

Salary →
6
Long Beach

pop 451K · rent $2,100 · est. $4,563/mo · comfortable on $86,500/yr

Salary →
7
Los Angeles

pop 3.9M · rent $2,220 · est. $4,665/mo · comfortable on $89,000/yr

Salary →
8
Chula Vista

pop 278K · rent $2,250 · est. $4,691/mo · comfortable on $89,500/yr

Salary →
9
Santa Ana

pop 313K · rent $2,350 · est. $4,776/mo · comfortable on $91,500/yr

Salary →
10
Anaheim

pop 340K · rent $2,350 · est. $4,776/mo · comfortable on $91,500/yr

Salary →
11
Oakland

pop 443K · rent $2,450 · est. $4,861/mo · comfortable on $93,000/yr

Salary →
12
San Diego

pop 1.4M · rent $2,570 · est. $4,963/mo · comfortable on $95,500/yr

Salary →
13
Irvine

pop 314K · rent $2,900 · est. $5,243/mo · comfortable on $101,500/yr

Salary →
14
San Jose

pop 970K · rent $2,960 · est. $5,294/mo · comfortable on $102,500/yr

Salary →
15
San Francisco

pop 810K · rent $3,050 · est. $5,371/mo · comfortable on $104,000/yr

Salary →
Score California cities for your income