Travel budget and cost of living in California how much does a trip cost?
Are you planning to go to California and need to budget for your trip? On this page you can see sample prices. This enables you to get to grips with actual prices and the cost of living in California. Then, why not use our free tool to calculate your California travel budget.
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:
- $ 121 for 2 ppl.
- $ 22 per person
- $ 7 per person
- Free activities
Total budget:
$ 2476*
Average budget
(traveller)
Daily budget:
- $ 213 for 2 ppl.
- $ 59 per person
- $ 15 per person
- $ 19 per person
Total budget:
$ 5545*
High budget
(tourist)
Daily budget:
- $ 304 for 2 ppl.
- $ 109 per person
- $ 30 per person
- $ 38 per person
Total budget:
$ 9151*
* 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 2024
Cost of living: California VS United States
On average, the cost of living in California in 2024 is 9% 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:
Explore each type of expense in detail:
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 | 51% more | Travel budget and cost of living in Santa Monica |
San Luis Obispo | 40% more | Travel budget and cost of living in San Luis Obispo |
San Jose | 37% more | Travel budget and cost of living in San Jose |
San Francisco | 36% more | Travel budget and cost of living in San Francisco |
Bakersfield | 35% more | Travel budget and cost of living in Bakersfield |
Palm Springs | 33% more | Travel budget and cost of living in Palm Springs |
Los Angeles | 9% more | Travel budget and cost of living in Los Angeles |
Local prices in California by expense type
California: Restaurant budget
![Lunch](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/restaurant.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 19 to $ 41)
21% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![3 course dinner](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/restaurant-menu.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 39 to $ 87)
58% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![McDonald's meal](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/mcdo.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 11 to $ 16)
10% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Local beer](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/biere-locale.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 6 to $ 12)
34% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Imported beer](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/biere-import.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 1.5 to $ 7)
11% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Cappuccino](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/cappuccino.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 4 to $ 8.1)
6% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Fizzy drink](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/soda.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 2 to $ 4)
14% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Water bottle](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/eau.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 1.5 to $ 3)
6% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
California: Hotel and accommodation budget
![1-star hotel](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel1.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 76 to $ 561)
2% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![2-star hotel](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel2.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 69 to $ 592)
9% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![3-star hotel](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel3.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 106 to $ 687)
9% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![4-star hotel](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel4.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 158 to $ 895)
14% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![5-star hotel](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel5.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 290 to $ 1256)
21% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Hostel/Youth Hostel](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hostel.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 70 to $ 599)
10% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Room with kitchen](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel_cuisine.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 100 to $ 931)
13% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Hotel with swimming pool](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel_piscine.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 80 to $ 839)
11% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Cottage or guest house](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel_gite.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 138 to $ 619)
13% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Family room](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel_famille.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 85 to $ 870)
11% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
California: Supermarket food budget
![Milk](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/lait.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 0.8 to $ 2)
16% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Bread](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/pain.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 2.2 to $ 8.8)
42% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Rice](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/riz.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 2.2 to $ 8.8)
22% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Eggs](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/oeufs.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 2.5 to $ 7.9)
34% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Chicken](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/poulet.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 6.6 to $ 23)
36% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Apples](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/pommes.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 2.7 to $ 8.8)
11% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Tomatoes](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/tomates.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 2 to $ 8.8)
2% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Potatoes](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/pdt.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 1.1 to $ 5.6)
4% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Water bottle](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/bouteille-eau.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 1.3 to $ 3.8)
0% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
California: Public and private transport budget
![Bus ticket](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/ticket-bus.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 1.7 to $ 2.7)
29% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Taxi (per km)](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/taxi.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 1.6 to $ 3.7)
3% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Petrol](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/essence.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 1.2 to $ 1.6)
47% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Taxi (initial pick-up charge)](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/taxi_priseencharge.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 3.2 to $ 7)
11% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Car hire](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/voiture-location.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 24 to $ 222)
30% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
California: Leisure activity budget
![Cinema](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/cinema.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 15 to $ 23)
26% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Tennis](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/tennis.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 9.1 to $ 16)
59% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
California: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes
![Cigarettes](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/cigarette.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 11 to $ 15)
21% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Levi's jeans](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/levis.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 31 to $ 97)
16% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Summer dress](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/robe.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 26 to $ 66)
2% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
Plane ticket budget
![Sydney → Los Angeles](https://www.whereandwhen.net/images/illustration/thumb/80/80/oualler/californie-los-angeles_993.jpg)
(fair price: $ 1052)
![Melbourne → Los Angeles](https://www.whereandwhen.net/images/illustration/thumb/80/80/oualler/californie-los-angeles_993.jpg)
(fair price: $ 1246)
![New York City → Los Angeles](https://www.whereandwhen.net/images/illustration/thumb/80/80/oualler/californie-los-angeles_993.jpg)
(fair price: $ 300)
![Sydney → San Francisco](https://www.whereandwhen.net/images/illustration/thumb/80/80/oualler/californie-san-francisco_504.jpg)
(fair price: $ 1293)
![New York City → San Francisco](https://www.whereandwhen.net/images/illustration/thumb/80/80/oualler/californie-san-francisco_504.jpg)
(fair price: $ 305)
![Melbourne → San Francisco](https://www.whereandwhen.net/images/illustration/thumb/80/80/oualler/californie-san-francisco_504.jpg)
(fair price: $ 1397)
![Sydney → New York City](https://www.whereandwhen.net/images/illustration/thumb/80/80/oualler/etats-unis-usa-new-york_783.jpg)
(fair price: $ 1168)
![Toronto → New York City](https://www.whereandwhen.net/images/illustration/thumb/80/80/oualler/etats-unis-usa-new-york_783.jpg)
(fair price: $ 211)
![Montreal → New York City](https://www.whereandwhen.net/images/illustration/thumb/80/80/oualler/etats-unis-usa-new-york_783.jpg)
(fair price: $ 265)
![Melbourne → New York City](https://www.whereandwhen.net/images/illustration/thumb/80/80/oualler/etats-unis-usa-new-york_783.jpg)
(fair price: $ 1384)
![New York City → Miami (Florida)](https://www.whereandwhen.net/images/illustration/thumb/80/80/miami-floride_866.jpg)
(fair price: $ 183)
![Los Angeles → New York City](https://www.whereandwhen.net/images/illustration/thumb/80/80/oualler/etats-unis-usa-new-york_783.jpg)
(fair price: $ 302)
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, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.
Information about cost of living in California updated on 23-07-2024.
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