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:

  • $ 112 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 21 per person
  • $ 6.7 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 2332*

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 198 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 57 per person
  • $ 15 per person
  • $ 18 per person

Total budget:

$ 5265*

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 289 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 102 per person
  • $ 31 per person
  • $ 36 per person

Total budget:

$ 8730*

* 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 2025

Cost of living: California VS United States

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in California in 2025 is 7% 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:

Created with Highcharts 8.2.2%+21%+21%+8%+8%+17%+17%-3%-3%-14%-14%+11%+11%Price variation between California and United States in 2025RestaurantHotelFoodTransportLeisure activitiesShopping-20-100102030



Local prices in California by expense type

California: Restaurant budget

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in California is 21% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Restaurant: sample prices in California compared to United States2020373711115.95.92626555512127.87.8United StatesCaliforniaLunch3 course dinnerMcDonald's mealLocal beer0246810121416182022242628303234363840424446485052545658
Lunch
Lunch
$ 26/person
($ 16 to $ 49)

25% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 55/person
($ 37 to $ 84)

47% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 37
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 12/person
($ 11 to $ 15)

9% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Local beer
Local beer
$ 7.8 for 500ml
($ 5.9 to $ 12)

33% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.9
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 4.1 for 330ml
($ 1.6 to $ 6.8)

19% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 5.4/cup
($ 3.9 to $ 7.8)

5% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 2.8/can
($ 2 to $ 3.9)

16% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 2.2/bottle
($ 1.5 to $ 2.9)

9% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

California: Hotel and accommodation budget

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in California is 8% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Hotel: sample prices in California compared to United States151151223223310310161161226226158158239239339339175175248248United StatesCalifornia2-star hotel3-star hotel4-star hotelHostel/Youth HostelCottage or guest house0100200300255075125150175225250275325350375
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 155/night
($ 70 to $ 494)

3% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 160
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 158/night
($ 66 to $ 485)

5% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 151
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 239/night
($ 96 to $ 648)

8% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 223
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 339/night
($ 149 to $ 910)

10% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 310
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 549/night
($ 260 to $ 1194)

13% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 489
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 175/month
($ 72 to $ 558)

9% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 161
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 263/month
($ 94 to $ 904)

11% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 238
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 216/month
($ 76 to $ 717)

7% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 202
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 248/month
($ 146 to $ 546)

10% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 226
Family room
Family room
$ 215/month
($ 81 to $ 714)

9% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 198

California: Supermarket food budget

On average, the price of supermarket food in California is 17% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Food: sample prices in California compared to United States3.63.612124.84.82.92.94.64.616164.84.82.92.9United StatesCaliforniaEggsChickenTomatoesPotatoes01234567891011121314151617
Milk
Milk
$ 1.2/litre
($ 0.7 to $ 2)

15% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Bread
Bread
$ 4.8/500g
($ 2.2 to $ 8.6)

39% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Rice
Rice
$ 5.2/kg
($ 2.2 to $ 8.6)

18% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.5
Eggs
Eggs
$ 4.6/12 eggs
($ 2.4 to $ 7.7)

29% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Chicken
Chicken
$ 16/kg
($ 8.6 to $ 23)

34% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12
Apples
Apples
$ 5.9/kg
($ 2.7 to $ 10)

14% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.2
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 4.8/kg
($ 2.1 to $ 8.6)

2% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.8
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 2.9/kg
($ 1 to $ 6.5)

1% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 2.1
($ 1.3 to $ 3.9)

0% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

California: Public and private transport budget

On average, the price of transport in California costs 3% less than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Transport: sample prices in California compared to United States2.42.41.71.70.90.971711.71.71.71.71.31.37171United StatesCaliforniaBus ticketTaxi (per km)PetrolCar hire051015202530354045505560657075
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 1.7/ticket
($ 1.7 to $ 2.7)

30% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 1.7/km
($ 1.7 to $ 3.7)

3% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7
Petrol
Petrol
$ 1.3/litre
($ 1.2 to $ 1.6)

38% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 3
($ 3 to $ 6.8)

16% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Car hire
Car hire
$ 71/24hrs
($ 31 to $ 226)

0% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 71

California: Leisure activity budget

On average, budget for leisure activities in California costs 14% less than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 18/ticket
($ 15 to $ 23)

29% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14
Tennis
Tennis
$ 8.9/hr
($ 8.9 to $ 15)

56% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

California: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

On average, shopping budget in California is 11% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 12/pack
($ 10 to $ 14)

20% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 58
($ 30 to $ 95)

12% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 52
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 42
($ 26 to $ 59)

0% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 42

Plane ticket budget

Melbourne → Los Angeles
Melbourne → Los Angeles
Melbourne → Los Angeles
$ 1433
(fair price: $ 1122)
Sydney → Los Angeles
Sydney → Los Angeles
Sydney → Los Angeles
$ 1186
(fair price: $ 934)
New York City → Los Angeles
New York City → Los Angeles
New York City → Los Angeles
$ 371
(fair price: $ 287)
Sydney → San Francisco
Sydney → San Francisco
Sydney → San Francisco
$ 1403
(fair price: $ 1098)
Montreal → Los Angeles
Montreal → Los Angeles
Montreal → Los Angeles
$ 480
(fair price: $ 403)
Melbourne → San Francisco
Melbourne → San Francisco
Melbourne → San Francisco
$ 1642
(fair price: $ 1187)
Sydney → New York City
Sydney → New York City
Sydney → New York City
$ 1219
(fair price: $ 1081)
Melbourne → New York City
Melbourne → New York City
Melbourne → New York City
$ 1546
(fair price: $ 1268)
Toronto → New York City
Toronto → New York City
Toronto → New York City
$ 283
(fair price: $ 240)
New York City → Miami (Florida)
New York City → Miami (Florida)
New York City → Miami (Florida)
$ 255
(fair price: $ 164)
Montreal → New York City
Montreal → New York City
Montreal → New York City
$ 316
(fair price: $ 284)
Montreal → Miami (Florida)
Montreal → Miami (Florida)
Montreal → Miami (Florida)
$ 391
(fair price: $ 313)

Book a flight Flight prices to California




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 08-11-2024.

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