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Cost of living in California

Rent, taxes, earnings and more across all 58 California counties.

Avg. 1-bed rent
$1,581/mo
Avg. household income
$87,001/yr
Avg. home value
$569,022
Avg. monthly cost
$3,721/mo
Cheapest county
Trinity County
$2,837/mo for a single person
Most expensive county
Santa Clara County
$5,823/mo for a single person

Last updated May 21, 2026

Taxes in California

State income, sales and local tax rates.

State income tax
13.30%
Top marginal rate

California has a graduated state income tax ranging from 1% to 13.3%.

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

Use our salary calculator to see your take-home pay in California

Tax information is for general reference. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation.

Rent in California

The average one-bedroom rent across California is $1,581/mo. Rent varies from $854/mo in Trinity County to $3,221/mo in Santa Cruz County.

Cheapest rent

Most expensive rent

Cheapest places to live in California

Top 10 counties by estimated single-person monthly cost.

Rankings include rent, utilities, groceries, transport, healthcare and taxes. See our methodology.

Most expensive places to live in California

Top 10 counties by estimated single-person monthly cost.

Highest earning counties in California

Top 10 by average household income.

All 58 counties in California

Sorted by population. Type to filter.

Compare any two areas in California

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

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Frequently asked questions about California

Common questions about cost of living, taxes and rent.

What is the cost of living in California?

The average cost of living in California is approximately $3,721 per month for a single person. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare and taxes. Costs range from $2,837/mo in Trinity County to $5,823/mo in Santa Clara County.

What is the average rent in California?

The average one-bedroom rent in California is $1,581 per month, based on HUD Fair Market Rent data across all 58 counties.

What is the average salary in California?

The average household income in California is $87,001 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Does California have state income tax?

Yes, California has a graduated income tax ranging from 1% to 13.3%.

What is the sales tax in California?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in California averages 8.85%. The state rate is 7.25% with an average local addition of 1.60%.

What are the cheapest places to live in California?

The cheapest counties to live in California based on overall monthly costs are: 1. Trinity County ($2,837/mo), 2. Modoc County ($2,841/mo), 3. Siskiyou County ($2,878/mo), 4. Imperial County ($2,965/mo), 5. Lassen County ($2,967/mo).

What are the most expensive places to live in California?

The most expensive counties to live in California based on overall monthly costs are: 1. Santa Clara County ($5,823/mo), 2. San Francisco County ($5,817/mo), 3. San Mateo County ($5,567/mo), 4. Marin County ($5,446/mo), 5. Santa Cruz County ($5,331/mo).

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 FY2025
  • Energy Information Administration (EIA)
  • Tax Foundation state and local rates
Methodology All data sources