What is the cost of living in California?

California has an average cost of living index of 140, which is 25% above the national average of 112. Average monthly rent across tracked cities is $2,629, and average median household income is $102,752.

What is the cheapest city in California?

San Buenaventura is the most affordable city tracked in California, with a cost index of 100 and median rent of $0/month.

What is the most expensive city in California?

Sunnyvale is the most expensive city tracked in California, with a cost index of 212 and median rent of $3,478/month.

What is the average rent in California?

The average monthly rent across 61 tracked cities in California is $2,629. The cheapest rent is in San Buenaventura at $0/month.

What is the average household income in California?

The average median household income across tracked cities in California is $102,752. The highest-earning city is Sunnyvale at $181,862.

Is California affordable to live in?

California's average rent-to-income ratio is 31.3%. Financial advisors recommend keeping rent below 30% of gross income. California can be a financial stretch, with rent exceeding 30% of typical incomes in many cities. San Buenaventura offers the best value at a cost index of 100.

Home/California

61 cities tracked

California

Compare affordability, taxes, rent pressure, and earnings across California’s tracked cities with a single state-level intelligence view.

All Rankings

Most affordable: San Buenaventura

Highest income: Sunnyvale

Avg rent: $2,629

Avg Cost Index

0/ 100

State Population

Avg Income

Avg Rent

$0/mo

Avg Home Price

Tracked City Pop

State Intelligence Overview

Core metrics, city comparisons, and tax signals

Index: 212Rent: $3,478

Highest Income

Sunnyvale

$181,862Rent: $3,478

California vs National Average

Cost Index

140

+25.0% vs avg

Avg Rent

$2,629

+38.7% vs avg

Avg Income

$102,752

+27.9% vs avg

Cities in California

City	Cost	Rent	Income	Home Price	Pop	Rent/Inc
Los Angeles	147	$2,742	$80,366	$941,985	3,820,914	40.9%
San Diego	152	$2,893	$104,321	$989,768	1,388,320	33.3%
San Jose	177	$3,222	$141,565	$1,435,993	969,655	27.3%
San Francisco	181	$3,830	$141,446	$1,299,230	808,988	32.5%
Fresno	105	$1,693	$66,804	$386,426	545,716	30.4%
Sacramento	114	$2,006	$83,753	$472,863	526,384	28.7%
Long Beach	135	$2,287	$83,969	$847,495	449,468	32.7%
Oakland	132	$2,527	$97,369	$700,829	436,504	31.1%
Bakersfield	108	$1,887	$77,397	$391,443	413,381	29.3%
Anaheim	146	$2,711	$90,583	$930,771	340,512	35.9%
Stockton	112	$2,010	$76,851	$426,138	319,543	31.4%
Riverside	127	$2,346	$88,575	$639,786	318,858	31.8%
Irvine	184	$3,361	$129,647	$1,541,925	314,621	31.1%
Santa Ana	144	$2,804	$88,354	$847,509	310,539	38.1%
Chula Vista	145	$2,904	$105,173	$834,949	274,333	33.1%