Cost of Living in California
Housing costs, rent, income, and affordability for 1,569 cities in CA. Updated 2026.
Understanding the cost of living in California is essential whether you're planning a move, comparing job offers, or evaluating real estate investments. This page breaks down housing costs, rent prices, and median household income for every city in California, with comparisons to national averages.
California's average home value of $569,274 is 132% above the national median of $244,900. The average median household income is $85,484, and average monthly rent is $1,348.
Most Affordable Cities in California
Cities with population 5,000+ ranked by lowest median home value.
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Camp Pendleton Mainside | $0 | $3,501/mo | $56,250 | 9,801 |
| 2 | Camp Pendleton South | $0 | $2,947/mo | $66,265 | 15,011 |
| 3 | Fort Irwin | $0 | $1,601/mo | $66,964 | 8,791 |
| 4 | Lemoore Station | $0 | $1,755/mo | $65,781 | 5,847 |
| 5 | University of California-Davis | $0 | $1,560/mo | $17,625 | 8,158 |
| 6 | Calipatria | $172,900 | $917/mo | $52,672 | 6,549 |
| 7 | Homeland | $189,600 | $1,640/mo | $54,863 | 6,060 |
| 8 | Salton City | $189,800 | $1,295/mo | $36,915 | 6,244 |
| 9 | Potomac Park | $201,200 | $1,162/mo | $45,617 | 10,634 |
| 10 | East Bakersfield | $202,400 | $1,005/mo | $36,039 | 10,377 |
| 11 | Blythe | $203,800 | $900/mo | $51,984 | 17,824 |
| 12 | Clearlake | $204,500 | $1,162/mo | $41,580 | 16,604 |
| 13 | Lamont | $210,700 | $982/mo | $34,436 | 13,481 |
| 14 | Corcoran | $220,500 | $1,012/mo | $55,909 | 22,626 |
| 15 | Mecca | $222,000 | $900/mo | $45,011 | 7,071 |
Most Expensive Cities in California
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woodside | $2,000,001 | $3,501/mo | $250,001 | 5,181 |
| 2 | Tiburon | $2,000,001 | $3,501/mo | $212,794 | 9,035 |
| 3 | Strawberry CDP (Marin County), California | $2,000,001 | $2,876/mo | $144,130 | 5,496 |
| 4 | Stanford | $2,000,001 | $1,925/mo | $70,651 | 17,958 |
| 5 | Saratoga | $2,000,001 | $3,501/mo | $241,348 | 30,335 |
| 6 | San Marino | $2,000,001 | $3,501/mo | $187,633 | 12,279 |
| 7 | San Carlos | $2,000,001 | $2,802/mo | $233,333 | 29,797 |
| 8 | Piedmont | $2,000,001 | $3,501/mo | $250,001 | 11,012 |
| 9 | Palos Verdes Estates | $2,000,001 | $3,331/mo | $247,500 | 13,047 |
| 10 | Palo Alto | $2,000,001 | $3,328/mo | $220,408 | 67,231 |
Highest Income Cities in California
| # | City | Median Income | Home Value | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alamo | $250,001 | $2,000,001 | 14,441 |
| 2 | Atherton | $250,001 | $2,000,001 | 7,021 |
| 3 | Camino Tassajara | $250,001 | $2,000,001 | 6,395 |
| 4 | Hillsborough | $250,001 | $2,000,001 | 11,122 |
| 5 | Los Altos Hills | $250,001 | $2,000,001 | 8,367 |
| 6 | Los Altos | $250,001 | $2,000,001 | 30,736 |
| 7 | Orinda | $250,001 | $1,804,400 | 19,472 |
| 8 | Piedmont | $250,001 | $2,000,001 | 11,012 |
| 9 | Woodside | $250,001 | $2,000,001 | 5,181 |
| 10 | Palos Verdes Estates | $247,500 | $2,000,001 | 13,047 |
Cost of Living FAQ — California
What is the average cost of living in California?
The average median home value across California cities is $569,274, with average rent of $1,348/month. The average median household income is $85,484.
What are the cheapest cities in California?
The most affordable cities in California by home value include Camp Pendleton Mainside ($0), Camp Pendleton South ($0), Fort Irwin ($0).
What is the most expensive city in California?
The most expensive city in California is Woodside with a median home value of $2,000,001.
How does California compare to the national average?
California's average home value of $569,274 is above the national median of $244,900. Median rent of $1,348/month is above the US average of $1,163.