How Much Do I Need To Live In California

California is the most populous state in the United States and is a great place to live, but its cost of living is high. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates that a childless adult in California requires a pre-tax living wage of $44,180 in 2023. The cost of living in the Golden State varies depending on location, with San Francisco having an average home value of $1,164,261 and rents of $3,900, and Sacramento having an average home value of $531,642. Additionally, California has some of the most expensive gasoline in the United States, with an average cost of $4.