Travel budget in California

California: calculate your travel budget

California: sample budgets by traveller type

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in California for 2 people.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 125 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 23 per person
  • $ 7.6 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 2587*

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 223 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 61 per person
  • $ 19 per person
  • $ 20 per person

Total budget:

$ 5860*

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 343 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 110 per person
  • $ 36 per person
  • $ 39 per person

Total budget:

$ 9915*

* Estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks. This represents an average across the country (budget may vary depending on the city or region visited).



Cost of living in California in 2023

Cost of living: California VS United States

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in California in 2023 is 13% higher than in the United States (USA).

The graphic below shows the percentage of variation between prices United States in in the United States (USA) and United States by types of expenses:

Cost of living in California by city

See the table below for the variation in the cost of living in different cities in California compared to the national average.

Cities /California View Details
Santa Monica 29% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Santa Monica
Santa Cruz California 26% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Santa Cruz California
San Diego 24% moreTravel budget and cost of living in San Diego
San Francisco 21% moreTravel budget and cost of living in San Francisco
San Jose 17% moreTravel budget and cost of living in San Jose
Santa Barbara 16% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Santa Barbara
Los Angeles 0% lessTravel budget and cost of living in Los Angeles

Show all cities (11 more)




Local prices in California by expense type

California: Restaurant budget

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in California is 20% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Lunch
Lunch
$ 28/person
($ 17 to $ 52)

22% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 57/person
($ 35 to $ 85)

35% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 42
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 13/person
($ 12 to $ 15)

11% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12
Local beer
Local beer
$ 9 for 500ml
($ 6.7 to $ 12)

35% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.7
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 3.9 for 330ml
($ 1.7 to $ 7.9)

2% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.8
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 6.1/cup
($ 3.9 to $ 7.9)

13% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.4
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 3.2/can
($ 2.3 to $ 5)

23% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.6
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 2.5/bottle
($ 1.9 to $ 4.5)

23% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

California: Hotel and accommodation budget

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in California is 26% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 137/night
($ 113 to $ 169)

9% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 126
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 180/night
($ 106 to $ 360)

20% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 150
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 266/night
($ 170 to $ 458)

25% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 214
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 421/night
($ 277 to $ 697)

32% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 321
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 882/night
($ 596 to $ 1385)

28% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 690
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 170/month
($ 139 to $ 210)

25% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 137
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 275/month
($ 179 to $ 502)

29% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 214
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 268/month
($ 147 to $ 541)

37% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 196
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 314/month
($ 234 to $ 416)

17% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 269
Family room
Family room
$ 286/month
($ 168 to $ 585)

42% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 202

California: Supermarket food budget

On average, the price of supermarket food in California is 18% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Milk
Milk
$ 1.4/litre
($ 0.8 to $ 2)

24% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1
Bread
Bread
$ 5.1/500g
($ 2.5 to $ 9.9)

32% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4
Rice
Rice
$ 6.3/kg
($ 2.5 to $ 9.9)

25% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1
Eggs
Eggs
$ 6.5/12 eggs
($ 3.3 to $ 9.6)

34% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.8
Chicken
Chicken
$ 17/kg
($ 6.3 to $ 26)

23% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14
Apples
Apples
$ 5.9/kg
($ 1.8 to $ 9.9)

1% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.9
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 5.7/kg
($ 2 to $ 9.9)

13% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 3.6/kg
($ 1.9 to $ 7.4)

5% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.4
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 2.5
($ 1.4 to $ 4.5)

7% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

California: Public and private transport budget

On average, the price of transport in California is 9% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 1.9/ticket
($ 1.9 to $ 3.3)

29% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.8
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 1.9/km
($ 1.9 to $ 4.2)

3% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9
Petrol
Petrol
$ 1.6/litre
($ 1.3 to $ 1.7)

37% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 5.6
($ 3.3 to $ 7.9)

44% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9
Car hire
Car hire
$ 32/24hrs
($ 11 to $ 138)

13% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 36

California: Leisure activity budget

On average, budget for leisure activities in California costs 10% less than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 20/ticket
($ 17 to $ 23)

27% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 15
Tennis
Tennis
$ 12/hr
($ 12 to $ 23)

47% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22

California: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

On average, shopping budget in California is 17% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 14/pack
($ 10.2 to $ 16)

35% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 69
($ 35 to $ 112)

18% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 58
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 47
($ 29 to $ 85)

1% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 47

Plane ticket budget

Sydney → Los Angeles
Sydney → Los Angeles
Sydney → Los Angeles
$ 1338
(fair price: $ 1111)
Melbourne → Los Angeles
Melbourne → Los Angeles
Melbourne → Los Angeles
$ 1561
(fair price: $ 1229)
London → Los Angeles
London → Los Angeles
London → Los Angeles
$ 625
(fair price: $ 581)
New York City → Los Angeles
New York City → Los Angeles
New York City → Los Angeles
$ 379
(fair price: $ 314)
London → San Francisco
London → San Francisco
London → San Francisco
$ 599
(fair price: $ 557)
New York City → San Francisco
New York City → San Francisco
New York City → San Francisco
$ 373
(fair price: $ 321)
New York City → Miami (Florida)
New York City → Miami (Florida)
New York City → Miami (Florida)
$ 294
(fair price: $ 192)
Toronto (Ontario) → New York City
Toronto (Ontario) → New York City
Toronto (Ontario) → New York City
$ 222
(fair price: $ 196)
London → New York City
London → New York City
London → New York City
$ 450
(fair price: $ 422)
New York City → Las Vegas
New York City → Las Vegas
New York City → Las Vegas
$ 421
(fair price: $ 314)
Manchester → New York City
Manchester → New York City
Manchester → New York City
$ 537
(fair price: $ 501)
Dublin → New York City
Dublin → New York City
Dublin → New York City
$ 453
(fair price: $ 412)


About the information on the cost of living in California

The information about the cost of living in California shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including : Numbeo, Easyvoyage and Hotels.com.

Information about cost of living in California updated on 16-09-2023.

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