Cost of living in California
Every number we track for California, in one place. Tap any figure for the full page and its source.
Housing
- Median rent$2,104/moup 5.6% in a year. Income to afford it: $84,160 a year (30% rule). Census ACS.
- Property tax rate0.70%About $2,800 a year on a $400,000 home. Tax Foundation, 2024.
- New roof, 2,000 sq ft$11,389Asphalt shingles, our estimate from This Old House prices and BLS roofer pay ($32.41 an hour, May 2025).
- Homeowners insurance$1,820/yrAbout $152 a month for $400,000 of coverage. NerdWallet, May 6, 2026.
Pay and taxes
Everyday costs
Insurance
Take-home pay in California
| Salary | Federal tax | CA tax | Soc. Sec. + Medicare | Take-home a month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $2,620 | $589 | $3,060 | $2,811 |
| $60,000 | $5,020 | $1,649 | $4,590 | $4,062 |
| $75,000 | $7,670 | $2,788 | $5,738 | $4,900 |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $5,070 | $7,650 | $6,176 |
| $150,000 | $24,734 | $9,720 | $11,475 | $8,673 |
Single filer, 2026 rates: IRS brackets and standard deduction, SSA wage base and Tax Foundation state rates. No credits, 401(k) or local taxes. Our calculation. Work out your own paycheck.
Compare California
Common questions
How much does it cost to live in California?
About $3,336 a month for the basics we track: median rent $2,104, electricity, gas for 1,000 miles, full-coverage car insurance, your share of a job-based health plan and average groceries (our calculation from Census, EIA, AAA, Insurify, KFF and BLS data).
How much is $75,000 a year after taxes in California?
About $58,805 a year, or $4,900 a month, for a single filer after 2026 federal and California income tax, Social Security and Medicare (our calculation).
What are the sales tax and minimum wage in California?
The combined state and average local sales tax is 9.03% (Tax Foundation, July 2026) and the minimum wage is $16.90 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor).