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Cost of living guide

Cost of Living in California 2026

Published July 2026 · By LiveWhere

California holds the widest cost range of any state. A single person spends about $2,837 a month in rural Trinity County up north. In Santa Clara County, the heart of Silicon Valley, that figure more than doubles to about $5,823. The state average lands near $3,721 a month.

Rent is the main reason. The average one-bedroom home costs about $1,581 a month, one of the highest figures in the country. California also has a graduated income tax. Rates start at 1% and climb to 13.3% for top earners, the steepest top rate of any state.

The pattern is simple. Coastal metros near the Bay Area and Los Angeles cost the most, while rural counties in the far north and the desert cost far less. Rank all 58 counties in the table below, or compare any two with our comparison tool. All figures come from official government data, built using our methodology.

Cheapest county
$2,837
Trinity County
State average
$3,721
per month
Avg. rent (1-bed)
$1,581
per month
Avg. income
$87,001
per year

All 58 counties in California, ranked by cost

Cheapest first, by estimated single-person monthly cost. The "vs avg" column compares each county to the California average.

Show all 58 counties

Monthly cost combines rent, utilities, groceries, transport, healthcare and taxes. See our methodology.

The 5 cheapest counties in California

The most affordable places, in detail.

#2. Modoc County $2,841/mo

Modoc County sits in California's far northeast corner, high and dry against the Oregon and Nevada lines. A one-bedroom home rents for about $886 a month. It is one of the least populated counties in the state.

See the full Modoc County profile

#3. Siskiyou County $2,878/mo

Siskiyou County spreads around Mount Shasta near the Oregon border. Rent averages about $930 a month. With about 44,000 residents, it offers more towns and services than the counties just above it here.

See the full Siskiyou County profile

#4. Imperial County $2,965/mo

Imperial County lies in the southeast desert along the Mexican border, centered on El Centro. Farming drives the economy, and a one-bedroom home rents for about $1,056 a month. Summers here are among the hottest in the country.

See the full Imperial County profile

#5. Lassen County $2,967/mo

Lassen County is high desert and forest in the northeast, centered on Susanville. Rent averages about $910 a month. The average household earns about $64,395 a year, giving local costs a bit more balance.

See the full Lassen County profile

The 5 most expensive counties in California

Where costs run highest.

#1. Santa Clara County

$5,823/mo

Santa Clara County is the core of Silicon Valley and the most expensive place in California. Tech salaries are huge, with the average household earning about $159,674 a year, but rent near $2,975 a month matches them.

#2. San Francisco County

$5,817/mo

San Francisco costs almost as much as Santa Clara. The dense, compact city pairs a one-bedroom rent of about $2,780 with some of the highest home values in the nation.

#3. San Mateo County

$5,567/mo

San Mateo County runs down the peninsula between San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Tech wealth and very tight housing keep costs near the top.

#4. Marin County

$5,446/mo

Marin County sits just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Known for wealth and open space, it carries one of the highest costs of living in the state.

#5. Santa Cruz County

$5,331/mo

Santa Cruz County, on the coast south of the Bay Area, carries the highest one-bedroom rent on this list at about $3,221. Beach demand and limited supply drive it.

The tax picture in California

Income, sales and property taxes.

State income tax
13.30%
Top marginal rate

California has a graduated state income tax, from 1% up to 13.3% for top earners.

State sales tax
7.25%
Combined sales tax
8.85%
incl. average local of 1.60%

Property taxes in California average about $4,045 a year across counties. Proposition 13 caps how fast the taxable value of a home can rise, which softens the bill for long-time owners.

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation.

Frequently asked questions about California

Common questions about cost of living, rent and taxes.

What is the cheapest place to live in California?

Trinity County is the cheapest place to live in California, at about $2,837 a month for a single person. A one-bedroom home there rents for about $854 a month. The figure covers rent, utilities, groceries, transport, healthcare and taxes.

What is the average cost of living in California?

The average cost of living in California is about $3,721 a month for a single person. Costs range from about $2,837 a month in Trinity County to about $5,823 a month in Santa Clara County.

Is California an expensive state to live in?

The average monthly cost in California is about $3,721, about 29% above the national average of $2,882 a month. High rent along the coast pulls the statewide figure well above most of the country.

What is the average rent in California?

The average one-bedroom rent in California is about $1,581 a month, based on HUD Fair Market Rent data across all 58 counties. Rent ranges from about $854 to $3,221 a month.

Does California have state income tax?

Yes. California has a graduated state income tax, from 1% up to 13.3% for top earners.

Explore more

Rankings

Cheapest places to live

The most affordable counties in America, ranked.
Tool

Compare two areas

Put any two counties side by side on cost, rent and taxes.
Tool

Salary calculator

See your take-home pay in California.
State

All California data

Rent, taxes and earnings across California.

Use this research

Journalists, researchers and bloggers are welcome to cite and share this analysis. Please include a follow link back to this page when referencing our data. For bespoke analysis, expert comment, or high-resolution graphics, get in touch via our press office.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources.

  • U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-Year Estimates)
  • HUD Fair Market Rents
  • Energy Information Administration (EIA)
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
  • Tax Foundation state and local rates

LiveWhere presents data from official government sources. It does not provide financial, tax, or healthcare advice.

Methodology All data sources