California is the most populous state in the United States with an estimated 39.4 million people. This large population has led to high taxes, and California is one of the most expensive states to live in.
The cost of living in California has been growing over time due to a variety of factors including increasing real estate prices and costs of public transportation as well as healthcare.
California is also one of seven states that do not have a sales tax, which means that all revenue comes from income tax and property taxes.
15 Reasons Of Why California Is So Expensive
California is known for its beautiful landscapes, diverse culture, and high-end lifestyle. But the price tag could be a deal-breaker for some people looking to relocate to this state. The cost of living in California is incredibly expensive. You will pay an arm and a leg just to live here. If you’re looking for a place with cheaper rent and more affordable housing, you should look elsewhere – like Texas or Nevada.
1. The cost of living in California is becoming more and more expensive. This is mainly because there is a lack of affordable housing options in the state. This puts pressure on people who are usually unable to afford homes due to their low income, which results in their displacement outside of the state.
2. Along with this, high rent prices have also caused some people to relocate out of the state despite having family members still residing here. These factors have led to mass migration outside California with people being forced out by living cost pressures as well as fear that they will not be able to find affordable housing while their families are still here.
3. One possible reason why this state is so expensive is that there are not enough new homes being built up because it does not have many cheap land plots available for construction on which new homes could be built.
4. Another reason might be due to an increase in the demand for luxury goods and services such as a growing number of wealthy individuals.
5. California is one of the most expensive states in America because it has a lot of socio-economic factors to take into account. When people think about taking their annual vacation there, they might end up spending too much money on food and transportation rather than saving at home while they are away on vacation.
6. Average house prices in California are higher than any other state in the US, at $726,000 in 2016.
7. The average salary for all jobs in California is $86,936 as compared to the US average of $52,482
8. One gallon of gas in California costs $4.18 (Reported by WSJ) while it costs 13 cents more per gallon on average across the United States
9. The cost of rent and median rent price is highest in California at $2,600 and $1,206 respectively as compared to the U.S average at $1,403 and $874 respectively. In terms of cost of living, California is one of the most expensive states in America with a cost of living index that is 3.6 times as high as the US average. However, this state’s population density makes it one of the cheapest places to live in America with an average monthly rent being $1,060.
10. It takes longer for wages to increase in this state than elsewhere in the US because there’s no minimum wage law, workers can be paid as little as $5 an hour and people have to pay more for healthcare and housing expenses because they are more expensive here than elsewhere.
11. This state has some of the highest taxes in America – for example, property taxes are among the highest in America on average, 20%. The cost of living in California is relatively higher than in other states because the state has a higher tax rate. The state also has a lot of expensive housing and a higher wage rate than most other states of the USA.
12. Another reason California has such a high cost of living is that they have some very expensive amenities like homes with outdoor pools or even indoor pools which might require you to pay upwards of $30.
13. Luxury goods, celebrity culture, and in-state colleges are just a few of the factors that contribute to California’s high cost of living.
14. It is harder for companies to hire workers because it’s so expensive. As a result, unemployment rates are much higher in California than in other parts of the country. And everything of this accumulated to the higher living expenses.
15. Many people believe that California’s relatively high cost of living is correlated with the state’s overall liberal political culture. It is true that many Californians are “progressive-minded and liberal in their economic outlook.” This means they tend to be more open to new ideas and have very little attachment to material objects. The cost of living also goes up with the more progressive-minded people there are in a certain area or country, as these people also care about the welfare of the environment.
How Can You Reduce Costs In Your Daily Life In California?
If you want to know how to live in California with less spending, there are many ways that people are doing it. Below is a list of different ways that people are saving in their daily lives in California.
1. Start cooking your own meals.
2. Switch your mobile plan from unlimited data to a lower-cost plan.
3. Look for cheaper alternatives to movies and restaurants and go out less often.
4. Moving out of the state: As of 2017, over three thousand people have left the state since the start of the year alone. Some Californians have left for other states because they can’t find affordable living as well as work opportunities in their home state.
5. Renting instead of buying: There are many reasons why renting can be more affordable than buying a home. It is usually better for renters if they rent an apartment that is not too big or too small and has enough space for them to move around in.
6. Eating locally grown produce: Locally grown produce can be more nutritious, economical, and satisfying while reducing food waste and expenses.
7 . Renting an RV or Campervan- The cost of renting a campervan in California ranges from $8 to $25 per day and if you plan on living out of it for more than four days, there are some clubs that offer weekly rates.
8 . Moving out West- If you prefer to move into an apartment or house instead of renting, then moving to Western states like Nevada or Oregon could be cheaper than renting in most California cities.
9. Buy used clothes and furniture.
- Use public transportation for commuting or just riding around town.
- Hold onto your money by renting instead of buying.
Hi, I’m Robert D. Max, a seasoned traveler, author, and photographer from the USA. With a Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management, I currently serve as Tourism Manager at Advance Travel and Tourism, a division of Advance Local. Outside of work, I’ve explored over 40 countries in my 7+ years of travel, documenting my adventures on my blog, AroundUniverse.com. Through my writing and photography, I aim to inspire others to discover the beauty of our world.