California Cost of Living by County

Compare annual cost of living, median household income, affordability, and major expense drivers across California counties. These estimates are based on a single adult household with no children. Cost rank for each county in California are rated from highest modeled total costs to lowest.

Counties tracked:

58Across California

Median Household Income:

$93,991In California

Median Annual Cost:

$58,396Across California

Most Expensive County:

Santa Cruz County, CA $105,985

Most Affordable County:

Imperial County, CA$47,311

State National Rank

#6Most expensive state across the U.S.Out of 50 states plus D.C.

Alameda County, CA

Cost Rank: 14 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$74,458

Median Household Income:

$155,116

Cost / Income ratio :

48.0%

Housing 31%
Food 7%
Transport 17%
Healthcare 9%
Other Costs 12%
Taxes 24%

Biggest category: Housing$23,230

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

See Los Angeles County vs Alameda County →View County Breakdown →

Alpine County, CA

Cost Rank: 32 / 58
Non-Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$56,940

Median Household Income:

$119,659

Cost / Income ratio :

47.6%

Housing 21%
Food 8%
Transport 27%
Healthcare 15%
Other Costs 9%
Taxes 19%

Biggest category: Transport$15,567

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Amador County, CA

Cost Rank: 27 / 58
Non-Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$60,928

Median Household Income:

$101,722

Cost / Income ratio :

59.9%

Housing 25%
Food 8%
Transport 25%
Healthcare 12%
Other Costs 10%
Taxes 21%

Biggest category: Housing$15,036

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Butte County, CA

Cost Rank: 40 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$54,469

Median Household Income:

$90,047

Cost / Income ratio :

60.5%

Housing 24%
Food 8%
Transport 24%
Healthcare 16%
Other Costs 10%
Taxes 19%

Biggest category: Transport$12,843

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Calaveras County, CA

Cost Rank: 30 / 58
Non-Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$58,000

Median Household Income:

$93,976

Cost / Income ratio :

61.7%

Housing 20%
Food 9%
Transport 27%
Healthcare 15%
Other Costs 9%
Taxes 20%

Biggest category: Transport$15,469

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Colusa County, CA

Cost Rank: 41 / 58
Non-Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$54,333

Median Household Income:

$89,214

Cost / Income ratio :

60.9%

Housing 20%
Food 8%
Transport 28%
Healthcare 16%
Other Costs 9%
Taxes 19%

Biggest category: Transport$15,170

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Contra Costa County, CA

Cost Rank: 11 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$75,827

Median Household Income:

$146,002

Cost / Income ratio :

51.9%

Housing 31%
Food 7%
Transport 18%
Healthcare 9%
Other Costs 12%
Taxes 24%

Biggest category: Housing$23,270

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

See Los Angeles County vs Contra Costa County →View County Breakdown →

Del Norte County, CA

Cost Rank: 55 / 58
Non-Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$50,714

Median Household Income:

$84,188

Cost / Income ratio :

60.2%

Housing 21%
Food 9%
Transport 26%
Healthcare 17%
Other Costs 9%
Taxes 18%

Biggest category: Transport$13,324

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CA

View County Breakdown →

El Dorado County, CA

Cost Rank: 20 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$68,841

Median Household Income:

$128,943

Cost / Income ratio :

53.4%

Housing 27%
Food 8%
Transport 21%
Healthcare 10%
Other Costs 11%
Taxes 22%

Biggest category: Housing$18,887

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Fresno County, CA

Cost Rank: 48 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$52,659

Median Household Income:

$81,068

Cost / Income ratio :

65.0%

Housing 28%
Food 8%
Transport 25%
Healthcare 11%
Other Costs 11%
Taxes 19%

Biggest category: Housing$14,520

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

See Los Angeles County vs Fresno County →View County Breakdown →

Glenn County, CA

Cost Rank: 56 / 58
Non-Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$50,489

Median Household Income:

$81,208

Cost / Income ratio :

62.2%

Housing 20%
Food 8%
Transport 28%
Healthcare 17%
Other Costs 9%
Taxes 18%

Biggest category: Transport$14,141

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Humboldt County, CA

Cost Rank: 34 / 58
Non-Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$56,023

Median Household Income:

$83,309

Cost / Income ratio :

67.2%

Housing 23%
Food 9%
Transport 24%
Healthcare 15%
Other Costs 10%
Taxes 19%

Biggest category: Transport$13,247

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Imperial County, CA

Cost Rank: 58 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$47,311

Median Household Income:

$64,569

Cost / Income ratio :

73.3%

Housing 24%
Food 7%
Transport 30%
Healthcare 11%
Other Costs 10%
Taxes 18%

Biggest category: Transport$14,275

Cheaper Alternatives:

View County Breakdown →

Inyo County, CA

Cost Rank: 39 / 58
Non-Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$54,537

Median Household Income:

$89,948

Cost / Income ratio :

60.6%

Housing 22%
Food 7%
Transport 26%
Healthcare 17%
Other Costs 9%
Taxes 19%

Biggest category: Transport$14,393

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Kern County, CA

Cost Rank: 57 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$49,670

Median Household Income:

$75,186

Cost / Income ratio :

66.1%

Housing 26%
Food 8%
Transport 28%
Healthcare 10%
Other Costs 10%
Taxes 18%

Biggest category: Transport$13,742

Cheaper Alternatives:

See Los Angeles County vs Kern County →View County Breakdown →

Kings County, CA

Cost Rank: 51 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$52,315

Median Household Income:

$74,578

Cost / Income ratio :

70.1%

Housing 26%
Food 8%
Transport 26%
Healthcare 11%
Other Costs 11%
Taxes 19%

Biggest category: Housing$13,812

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Lake County, CA

Cost Rank: 36 / 58
Non-Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$55,406

Median Household Income:

$80,539

Cost / Income ratio :

68.8%

Housing 23%
Food 9%
Transport 24%
Healthcare 16%
Other Costs 10%
Taxes 19%

Biggest category: Transport$13,406

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Lassen County, CA

Cost Rank: 49 / 58
Non-Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$52,513

Median Household Income:

$78,028

Cost / Income ratio :

67.3%

Housing 19%
Food 9%
Transport 29%
Healthcare 16%
Other Costs 9%
Taxes 19%

Biggest category: Transport$15,055

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Los Angeles County, CA

Cost Rank: 21 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$66,335

Median Household Income:

$98,839

Cost / Income ratio :

67.1%

Housing 34%
Food 7%
Transport 18%
Healthcare 7%
Other Costs 12%
Taxes 22%

Biggest category: Housing$22,272

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

See Los Angeles County vs Cook County →View County Breakdown →

Madera County, CA

Cost Rank: 42 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$54,051

Median Household Income:

$82,186

Cost / Income ratio :

65.8%

Housing 24%
Food 9%
Transport 27%
Healthcare 10%
Other Costs 10%
Taxes 19%

Biggest category: Transport$14,749

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Marin County, CA

Cost Rank: 6 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$85,782

Median Household Income:

$190,681

Cost / Income ratio :

45.0%

Housing 32%
Food 7%
Transport 16%
Healthcare 8%
Other Costs 12%
Taxes 26%

Biggest category: Housing$27,136

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Mariposa County, CA

Cost Rank: 53 / 58
Non-Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$51,040

Median Household Income:

$82,228

Cost / Income ratio :

62.1%

Housing 22%
Food 9%
Transport 28%
Healthcare 13%
Other Costs 10%
Taxes 18%

Biggest category: Transport$14,366

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Mendocino County, CA

Cost Rank: 28 / 58
Non-Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$59,530

Median Household Income:

$81,500

Cost / Income ratio :

73.0%

Housing 24%
Food 8%
Transport 24%
Healthcare 14%
Other Costs 10%
Taxes 20%

Biggest category: Housing$14,076

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Merced County, CA

Cost Rank: 46 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$52,845

Median Household Income:

$73,010

Cost / Income ratio :

72.4%

Housing 24%
Food 8%
Transport 26%
Healthcare 13%
Other Costs 10%
Taxes 19%

Biggest category: Transport$13,837

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Modoc County, CA

Cost Rank: 54 / 58
Non-Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$50,936

Median Household Income:

$62,857

Cost / Income ratio :

81.0%

Housing 17%
Food 9%
Transport 30%
Healthcare 17%
Other Costs 8%
Taxes 18%

Biggest category: Transport$15,266

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Mono County, CA

Cost Rank: 26 / 58
Non-Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$62,406

Median Household Income:

$109,698

Cost / Income ratio :

56.9%

Housing 20%
Food 8%
Transport 28%
Healthcare 15%
Other Costs 9%
Taxes 21%

Biggest category: Transport$17,377

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Monterey County, CA

Cost Rank: 4 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$88,591

Median Household Income:

$100,520

Cost / Income ratio :

88.1%

Housing 33%
Food 5%
Transport 17%
Healthcare 8%
Other Costs 12%
Taxes 26%

Biggest category: Housing$28,968

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Napa County, CA

Cost Rank: 10 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$77,130

Median Household Income:

$129,463

Cost / Income ratio :

59.6%

Housing 30%
Food 7%
Transport 19%
Healthcare 9%
Other Costs 11%
Taxes 24%

Biggest category: Housing$22,980

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Nevada County, CA

Cost Rank: 22 / 58
Non-Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$66,106

Median Household Income:

$106,554

Cost / Income ratio :

62.0%

Housing 25%
Food 9%
Transport 21%
Healthcare 13%
Other Costs 10%
Taxes 22%

Biggest category: Housing$16,224

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Orange County, CA

Cost Rank: 7 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$83,438

Median Household Income:

$128,689

Cost / Income ratio :

64.8%

Housing 34%
Food 5%
Transport 16%
Healthcare 7%
Other Costs 12%
Taxes 25%

Biggest category: Housing$28,224

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

See Los Angeles County vs Orange County →View County Breakdown →

Placer County, CA

Cost Rank: 13 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$74,985

Median Household Income:

$137,395

Cost / Income ratio :

54.6%

Housing 31%
Food 7%
Transport 18%
Healthcare 9%
Other Costs 12%
Taxes 24%

Biggest category: Housing$23,127

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Plumas County, CA

Cost Rank: 37 / 58
Non-Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$54,904

Median Household Income:

$88,167

Cost / Income ratio :

62.3%

Housing 20%
Food 9%
Transport 28%
Healthcare 16%
Other Costs 9%
Taxes 19%

Biggest category: Transport$15,491

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Riverside County, CA

Cost Rank: 19 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$69,270

Median Household Income:

$100,461

Cost / Income ratio :

69.0%

Housing 32%
Food 6%
Transport 20%
Healthcare 8%
Other Costs 12%
Taxes 23%

Biggest category: Housing$21,997

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

See Los Angeles County vs Riverside County →View County Breakdown →

Sacramento County, CA

Cost Rank: 25 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$64,534

Median Household Income:

$103,270

Cost / Income ratio :

62.5%

Housing 31%
Food 7%
Transport 19%
Healthcare 11%
Other Costs 12%
Taxes 22%

Biggest category: Housing$19,770

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

See Los Angeles County vs Sacramento County →View County Breakdown →

San Benito County, CA

Cost Rank: 8 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$82,493

Median Household Income:

$118,578

Cost / Income ratio :

69.6%

Housing 26%
Food 6%
Transport 19%
Healthcare 13%
Other Costs 10%
Taxes 25%

Biggest category: Housing$21,588

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

San Bernardino County, CA

Cost Rank: 23 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$65,654

Median Household Income:

$89,923

Cost / Income ratio :

73.0%

Housing 32%
Food 6%
Transport 21%
Healthcare 8%
Other Costs 12%
Taxes 22%

Biggest category: Housing$20,688

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

See Los Angeles County vs San Bernardino County →View County Breakdown →

San Diego County, CA

Cost Rank: 9 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$77,560

Median Household Income:

$118,115

Cost / Income ratio :

65.7%

Housing 33%
Food 6%
Transport 17%
Healthcare 7%
Other Costs 12%
Taxes 24%

Biggest category: Housing$25,740

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

See Los Angeles County vs San Diego County →View County Breakdown →

San Francisco County, CA

Cost Rank: 15 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$74,229

Median Household Income:

$165,603

Cost / Income ratio :

44.8%

Housing 34%
Food 8%
Transport 12%
Healthcare 10%
Other Costs 13%
Taxes 24%

Biggest category: Housing$25,403

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

See Los Angeles County vs San Francisco County →View County Breakdown →

San Joaquin County, CA

Cost Rank: 35 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$55,654

Median Household Income:

$98,914

Cost / Income ratio :

56.3%

Housing 27%
Food 8%
Transport 24%
Healthcare 11%
Other Costs 11%
Taxes 19%

Biggest category: Housing$14,976

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

See Los Angeles County vs San Joaquin County →View County Breakdown →

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Cost Rank: 17 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$71,155

Median Household Income:

$116,900

Cost / Income ratio :

60.9%

Housing 28%
Food 7%
Transport 20%
Healthcare 11%
Other Costs 11%
Taxes 23%

Biggest category: Housing$20,028

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

San Mateo County, CA

Cost Rank: 2 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$93,718

Median Household Income:

$184,583

Cost / Income ratio :

50.8%

Housing 32%
Food 6%
Transport 15%
Healthcare 8%
Other Costs 12%
Taxes 27%

Biggest category: Housing$30,381

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

See Los Angeles County vs San Mateo County →View County Breakdown →

Santa Barbara County, CA

Cost Rank: 5 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$87,248

Median Household Income:

$108,953

Cost / Income ratio :

80.1%

Housing 33%
Food 5%
Transport 16%
Healthcare 9%
Other Costs 12%
Taxes 26%

Biggest category: Housing$28,572

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Santa Clara County, CA

Cost Rank: 3 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$91,359

Median Household Income:

$182,053

Cost / Income ratio :

50.2%

Housing 34%
Food 5%
Transport 15%
Healthcare 7%
Other Costs 12%
Taxes 26%

Biggest category: Housing$31,296

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

See Los Angeles County vs Santa Clara County →View County Breakdown →

Santa Cruz County, CA

Cost Rank: 1 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$105,985

Median Household Income:

$131,966

Cost / Income ratio :

80.3%

Housing 35%
Food 5%
Transport 13%
Healthcare 6%
Other Costs 12%
Taxes 28%

Biggest category: Housing$36,672

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Shasta County, CA

Cost Rank: 31 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$56,946

Median Household Income:

$91,000

Cost / Income ratio :

62.6%

Housing 24%
Food 8%
Transport 23%
Healthcare 15%
Other Costs 10%
Taxes 19%

Biggest category: Housing$13,812

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Sierra County, CA

Cost Rank: 29 / 58
Non-Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$58,792

Median Household Income:

$73,529

Cost / Income ratio :

80.0%

Housing 20%
Food 10%
Transport 26%
Healthcare 15%
Other Costs 9%
Taxes 20%

Biggest category: Transport$15,070

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Siskiyou County, CA

Cost Rank: 45 / 58
Non-Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$53,073

Median Household Income:

$71,583

Cost / Income ratio :

74.1%

Housing 21%
Food 8%
Transport 27%
Healthcare 16%
Other Costs 9%
Taxes 19%

Biggest category: Transport$14,244

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Solano County, CA

Cost Rank: 18 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$69,305

Median Household Income:

$113,873

Cost / Income ratio :

60.9%

Housing 30%
Food 6%
Transport 20%
Healthcare 10%
Other Costs 11%
Taxes 23%

Biggest category: Housing$20,688

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Sonoma County, CA

Cost Rank: 12 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$75,135

Median Household Income:

$124,032

Cost / Income ratio :

60.6%

Housing 30%
Food 7%
Transport 19%
Healthcare 9%
Other Costs 11%
Taxes 24%

Biggest category: Housing$22,548

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Stanislaus County, CA

Cost Rank: 47 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$52,770

Median Household Income:

$89,051

Cost / Income ratio :

59.3%

Housing 26%
Food 8%
Transport 25%
Healthcare 12%
Other Costs 11%
Taxes 19%

Biggest category: Housing$13,560

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Sutter County, CA

Cost Rank: 33 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$56,264

Median Household Income:

$88,263

Cost / Income ratio :

63.7%

Housing 27%
Food 7%
Transport 24%
Healthcare 12%
Other Costs 11%
Taxes 19%

Biggest category: Housing$15,026

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Tehama County, CA

Cost Rank: 44 / 58
Non-Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$53,089

Median Household Income:

$77,022

Cost / Income ratio :

68.9%

Housing 21%
Food 8%
Transport 27%
Healthcare 16%
Other Costs 9%
Taxes 19%

Biggest category: Transport$14,481

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Trinity County, CA

Cost Rank: 52 / 58
Non-Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$51,098

Median Household Income:

$73,582

Cost / Income ratio :

69.4%

Housing 18%
Food 9%
Transport 29%
Healthcare 17%
Other Costs 8%
Taxes 18%

Biggest category: Transport$14,966

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Tulare County, CA

Cost Rank: 50 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$52,324

Median Household Income:

$71,096

Cost / Income ratio :

73.6%

Housing 25%
Food 8%
Transport 27%
Healthcare 12%
Other Costs 10%
Taxes 19%

Biggest category: Transport$14,027

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Tuolumne County, CA

Cost Rank: 38 / 58
Non-Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$54,825

Median Household Income:

$94,005

Cost / Income ratio :

58.3%

Housing 22%
Food 9%
Transport 25%
Healthcare 16%
Other Costs 9%
Taxes 19%

Biggest category: Transport$13,949

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Ventura County, CA

Cost Rank: 16 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$73,947

Median Household Income:

$122,868

Cost / Income ratio :

60.2%

Housing 30%
Food 6%
Transport 20%
Healthcare 9%
Other Costs 11%
Taxes 24%

Biggest category: Housing$22,452

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

See Los Angeles County vs Ventura County →View County Breakdown →

Yolo County, CA

Cost Rank: 24 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$65,576

Median Household Income:

$118,018

Cost / Income ratio :

55.6%

Housing 29%
Food 7%
Transport 20%
Healthcare 11%
Other Costs 11%
Taxes 22%

Biggest category: Housing$19,224

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

Yuba County, CA

Cost Rank: 43 / 58
Metro

Modeled annual cost:

$53,521

Median Household Income:

$82,918

Cost / Income ratio :

64.5%

Housing 25%
Food 7%
Transport 26%
Healthcare 13%
Other Costs 10%
Taxes 19%

Biggest category: Transport$13,924

Cheaper Alternatives: Imperial County, CAKern County, CA

View County Breakdown →

* Some counties might be unavailable