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. $3,836/mo · comfortable on $71,000/yr

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2
Bakersfield

pop 417K · rent $1,500 · est. $3,836/mo · comfortable on $71,000/yr

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3
Stockton

pop 321K · rent $1,680 · est. $4,090/mo · comfortable on $76,500/yr

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4
Sacramento

pop 525K · rent $1,850 · est. $4,285/mo · comfortable on $80,500/yr

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5
Riverside

pop 320K · rent $2,050 · est. $4,536/mo · comfortable on $86,000/yr

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6
Long Beach

pop 451K · rent $2,100 · est. $4,649/mo · comfortable on $88,500/yr

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7
Los Angeles

pop 3.9M · rent $2,220 · est. $4,791/mo · comfortable on $91,500/yr

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8
Chula Vista

pop 278K · rent $2,250 · est. $4,802/mo · comfortable on $92,000/yr

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9
Santa Ana

pop 313K · rent $2,350 · est. $4,862/mo · comfortable on $93,000/yr

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10
Anaheim

pop 340K · rent $2,350 · est. $4,862/mo · comfortable on $93,000/yr

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11
Oakland

pop 443K · rent $2,450 · est. $4,998/mo · comfortable on $96,000/yr

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12
San Diego

pop 1.4M · rent $2,570 · est. $5,074/mo · comfortable on $98,000/yr

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13
Irvine

pop 314K · rent $2,900 · est. $5,329/mo · comfortable on $103,500/yr

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14
San Jose

pop 970K · rent $2,960 · est. $5,506/mo · comfortable on $107,000/yr

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15
San Francisco

pop 810K · rent $3,050 · est. $5,558/mo · comfortable on $108,500/yr

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Score California cities for your income