This is how much singles need to live comfortably in California (2024)

FAQs

This is how much singles need to live comfortably in California? ›

The data used in the study analyzed the cost of living in each city as of 2024. In some California cities, like Bakersfield and Fresno, a single person would need to make at least $89,190 to “live comfortably,” the data shows.

While California ranks third-most expensive for a single adult to live comfortably at $113,652, it only ranks fifth-most expensive for two working adults raising two children. The total family income should be at least $276,724 in the latter case.

The national median for living comfortably alone is $89,461, which suggests that a 50/30/20 budget might not be practical for most single people. Living alone comes with added costs that can be more than double what you'd spend if you lived with someone else — otherwise known as the “singles tax.”

According to 2021 research from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, California's average cost of living is $53,082 annually (rising into the $70,000s for heavily populated areas like Los Angeles). Staying in control of your finances and maintaining a solid financial plan is essential regardless of where you live.

A separate study by Consumer Affairs published last month tabulated the minimum annual income required for a family of four to be considered middle class in each state, and in California, that income is $69,064.

A single person needs upwards of $80,000 a year to live comfortably in California, survey data shows. California is not known for its affordability, but exactly how much it takes for a single person to live comfortably here might surprise you.

$80,000 is about $5,000 higher than the U.S. median household income, so many people would consider it very good for a single person. “Good” is always a relative term when it comes to salary; whether or not the amount you earn covers your expenses is a highly personal dynamic.

The average monthly expenses for one person can vary, but the average single person spends about $3,405 per month. Housing tends to consume the highest portion of monthly income, with the average annual spending on housing at $1,885 per month per person.

$45,568 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $78,264 is the 75th percentile.

What city is the cheapest to live in California? ›

What is the cost of living in California? According to 2021 data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis , the annual average cost of living in California is $53,082. Based on that number, it would cost $4,423 per month to live in California. Here is how that breaks down by major spending categories.

But just how much does a single person in California need to make to live comfortably? A new study from Smart Asset determined that a person must make at least $ 89,190 to get by comfortably.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national average salary in 2021 was $58,260. Although wages above the average could be seen as a good salary, there are no hard and fast rules regarding how to determine a good salary since there are many factors involved.

Where you rank by income. According to the Census Bureau's Income in the United States: 2022 report, the median household income is $74,580 (a 2.3% decline from 2021), while household income levels for each class level are as follows: Lower class: less than or equal to $30,000. Lower-middle class: $30,001 – $58,020.

In 2022, the median household income in California amounted to 85,300 U.S. dollars.