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Destination guide

Moving to California

Tech, beaches, mountains — and the country's highest housing costs.

WestCapital: SacramentoPop. 39.0M

California has an overall price level 110.7 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
110.7
Housing index
154.3
Groceries index (modeled)
102.7
Utilities index (modeled)
101.6
Electricity rate
33.4 ¢/kWh
Transportation index (modeled)
102.1
Median home value
$759,500
Median monthly rent
$1,835/mo

Sources: BLS LAUS 2026-04 · Census ACS 2024 (live) state-level

California unemployment is 5.3% with median household income $100k.

Unemployment rate
5.3%
Median household income
$100,149
Per-capita income
$49,934
Labor-force participation
64.2%
Right-to-work state
No
Nurse Licensure Compact
Non-member

Sources: FEMA NRI 2025 · Census ACS 2024 (live) state-level

California: median home value $759,500.

Home value
$759,500
Rent
$1,835/mo
Homeownership rate
56.0%
FEMA NRI composite
89/100
Hurricane exposure
Low
Wildfire exposure
Elevated
Tornado risk
Low
Earthquake risk
Elevated

California 4th-grade math proficiency: 34.9% at/above NAEP proficient.

4th-grade math proficiency
34.9%
Per-pupil spending
$14,671
Student–teacher ratio (est.)
23
Public 4-yr grad rate
65.0%
Notable universities
UC system, Stanford, Caltech

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