Californiaincome tax up to 13.3%, 19th lowest property tax, median home $790K
D+20 · Moderate tax burden · COL index 142
13.3%
Income Tax
499
Violent Crime / 100K
79.2
Life Expectancy
$790K
Median Home
$2,200
Childcare / Mo
California in plain English
Worth knowing before you move to California
California's 13.3% top income-tax rate applies only to income above roughly $1 million, and Proposition 13 caps property-tax growth at 2% a year for as long as you own the home, so long-time owners pay far less than new buyers on identical houses. Wildfire risk now drives insurance availability in much of the state, and several major carriers have stopped writing new homeowner policies.
What California taxes, and what it doesn't
California levies a graduated income tax that tops out at 13.3%. A household earning $75,000 pays an effective 4.6%, about $3,414 a year; at $150,000 the effective rate is 6.9%. Among the 41 states that tax income, California has the 5th highest effective rate at $100,000 of income.
Property tax runs 0.71% of home value a year, roughly $5,609 on the state's median home of $790K. The national effective rate is about 1.10%, and California has the 19th lowest rate of the 50 states.
Combined state and local sales tax averages 8.82%, the 8th highest in the country (the state portion is 7.25%).
For retirees: Social Security benefits are not taxed, pension income is taxed like wages, and there is no estate or inheritance tax.
Capital gains are taxed as ordinary income.
Housing and the cost of living in California
California's cost of living index is 142, where 100 is the national average; that is the 3rd most expensive of the 50 states.
The median home costs $790K, 160% above the national figure and the 2nd highest among the states. A two-bedroom rents for about $2,300 a month.
Carrying costs matter as much as the price: home insurance averages $2,100 a year, flood coverage adds about $800 where it is needed, car insurance runs $2,290.
Budget $175 a month for electricity and gas, $620 a month in groceries for two, $2,200 a month for full-time infant care.
Safety, health and schools
Violent crime is 499 incidents per 100,000 residents in the FBI's 2023 Crime Data Explorer figures, above the median state (387); California is the 11th most violent of the 50 by that measure. Property crime is 2,027 per 100,000.
Life expectancy is 79.2 years (County Health Rankings 2024). 6.8% of residents have no health insurance, and the state has expanded Medicaid. The Commonwealth Fund's 2023 scorecard ranks California's health system 13th of 50.
Education Week's 2023 Quality Counts report ranks K-12 schools 20th in the country.
Politics, guns and social policy
Politically, California is a solidly Democratic state that went to Harris by 20 points in 2024.
On guns, concealed-carry permits are may-issue, at the discretion of local authorities, and Giffords grades the state's gun laws A.
Abortion is protected by state law. Marijuana is legal for adults. California is not a right-to-work state, and the minimum wage is $16.00 an hour.
Climate, risk and getting around
Natural disaster risk is very high. The main hazards are wildfire, earthquake, drought. Annual average air quality index is 62 (under 50 is good).
California has a major hub airport, with about 200 nonstop destinations from its busiest airport.
Written from the figures on this page. Rankings compare the 50 states. Sources and years are listed with each figure below.
Largest counties in California
State Profile
Taxes
Sources: state revenue departments · Tax Foundation 2026 · income-tax brackets 2026
▾
Taxes
Sources: state revenue departments · Tax Foundation 2026 · income-tax brackets 2026
Income Tax
Property Tax
~$5,609/yr on median home
Sales Tax
Social Security
Pension / IRA
Estate Tax
Inheritance Tax
Capital Gains
No preferential rate; taxed as ordinary income
Housing & Cost of Living
Sources: Zillow · Census ACS · iii.org and state insurers 2026 · WRLURI 2018 · Census 2024 (HOA)
▾
Housing & Cost of Living
Sources: Zillow · Census ACS · iii.org and state insurers 2026 · WRLURI 2018 · Census 2024 (HOA)
Price Level vs US (BEA)
Above US average (100)
Mortgages 90+ Days Late
FHFA, latest quarter
Cost of Living Index
National avg = 100
Median Home Price
Median Rent (2BR)
Home Insurance
Near national avg (~$1,900/yr)
Flood Insurance
Homestead Exemption
Home equity protected from creditors
Asset Protection
Homes in HOAs
Moderate HOA presence (Census ACS 2024)
Zoning Restrictiveness
Among the most restrictive zoning in the nation (Wharton WRLURI 2018)
Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb)
No preemption (2026 bill failed); city-by-city rules; 2025 SB 346 platform data-sharing.
Warning: Insurance Market Stress
Major insurer exits after wildfires; FAIR Plan (insurer of last resort) has tripled since 2018 to 610K+ policies. Get an insurance quote before you buy here.
Crime & Safety
Sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023 · SafeHome registry counts 2025 · HUD PIT 2024
▾
Crime & Safety
Sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023 · SafeHome registry counts 2025 · HUD PIT 2024
Violent Crime Rate
Near national avg
Property Crime Rate
Near national avg
Traffic Fatality Rate
Registered Sex Offenders
Below the state median (SafeHome 2025)
Homeless Population
Among the highest homelessness rates; 66% unsheltered (HUD 2024 PIT)
More on California
Healthcare#13 of 50▾
Sources: Commonwealth Fund 2023 · KFF · CDC
State Healthcare Rank
Life Expectancy
Above national avg (76.4)
Medicaid Expansion
Uninsured Rate
EducationK-12 #20 of 50▾
Sources: Education Week 2023 · NCES · state statutes (school choice)
College Completion Rate
College Scorecard, in-state institutions (mean)
Avg College Cost of Attendance
College Scorecard 2024
K-12 Quality Rank
School Choice / Vouchers
HS Graduation Rate
Near national avg (~87%)
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Above national avg (~16)
Childcare$2,200/mo infant care▾
Sources: Child Care Aware · Census ACS 2022
Avg Infant Care (Full-Time)
Very expensive (national avg ~$1,200)
Utilities & Daily Costs$175/mo energy▾
Sources: EIA (electricity, weekly gas) · USDA · eGRID 2022
Grid Carbon Intensity
Cleaner than US average (~820)
Avg Monthly Energy Bill
Electricity Rate
Well above national avg (13¢)
Energy Mix
Avg Monthly Groceries
2-person household, moderate spending
Road Quality Rank
Among the worst roads in the US
Airports & Travel200+ nonstop routes▾
Sources: FAA · BTS
Nonstop Destinations
From state's primary airport
Major Hub Airport
Top-25 US airport by passengers
Culture & Lifestyle95% urban▾
Sources: Census CBP · Brewers Association 2024 · Pollstar · AANR/TNS · AGA 2024
Urban Population
Highly urban, big city feel
Restaurant Density
Religious Congregations
More secular
Pro Sports Teams
NFL + NBA + MLB + NHL + MLS
Major Venues
Stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters (10K+ capacity)
Craft Breweries
2.7/100K residents: Solid scene
Craft Distilleries
One of the nation's top distillery states
Live Music
LA + SF + SD dominate — every genre covered; Coachella, Outside Lands, BottleRock
Transportation$2,290/yr car insurance▾
Sources: NHTSA FARS · FCC · insurance rate surveys 2024 · IIHS helmet laws 2026
Car Insurance (Avg Annual)
Traffic Fatality Rate
Broadband Access
Work From Home
State residents who primarily work from home (ACS)
Social & Legal$16/hr minimum wage▾
Sources: Guttmacher · KFF · NCSL · state statutes 2026
Formal Volunteering Rate
AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023 (US ~28%)
Votes in Local Elections
AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023
Abortion Access
State constitution protects abortion rights; no gestational limit
LGBTQ+ Protections
Marijuana
Minimum Wage
Right to Work
Sports Betting
Casino Gambling
Online Gambling
State Lottery
Largest tribal casino market in US (60+ casinos). Commercial card rooms legal (poker, pai gow). Sports betting ballot measures have failed repeatedly.
Age of Consent
Sex Education
Sex ed required by state
Medically Accurate Required
Nude Beaches & Naturist Clubs
Black's Beach (La Jolla) · Baker Beach (San Francisco) · Pirate's Cove (Avila Beach) · Glen Eden Sun Club
Environment & ClimateAQI 62▾
Sources: EPA AQI · NOAA · FEMA National Risk Index
Air Quality (Annual AQI)
Poor. Can affect health
Natural Disaster Risk
Primary Hazards
Politics & Gun LawsD+20 · gun law grade A▾
Sources: OpenElections 2024 · Giffords 2025 · state statutes
2024 Presidential Vote
Gun Laws
Carry Permit
Purchase Permit Required
Carry in Bars
Carry in Restaurants
Carry in Places of Worship
SB2 ban where alcohol sold/consumed upheld (Wolford, 9th Cir.); worship ban enjoined; SCOTUS review pending.
Gambling
Jobs & Economy5.4% unemployment▾
Sources: BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS union membership 2025 · Census ACS
Job Openings Rate (JOLTS)
Near US average (~4.5%)
Quits Rate (JOLTS)
Workers quit when they can find better; BLS 2024 average
Job Market
+1.1% job growth · 5.4% unemployment
Top Industries
Tech Jobs
Top tech job market nationally
Healthcare Jobs
Remote Work
High remote work culture
Median Household Income
Union Membership
Above-average union presence (BLS 2025)
Business Climate#48 of 50▾
Sources: Tax Foundation · state filings
Corporate Income Tax
High corporate rate. Plan entity structure carefully
LLC Formation Fee
LLC Annual Fee
Minimum Franchise Tax
Due even if no revenue. Applies to all LLCs and corps
Business Climate Rank
Bottom-10 nationally
Warning: Minimum Tax
California charges a $800/yr minimum franchise tax on every LLC, regardless of income. Factor this into the cost of forming here.
$800/yr minimum franchise tax due even in year 1; LLCs with gross receipts over $250K pay additional LLC fee up to $11,790
Daily Life$4.72/gal gas▾
Sources: American Pyrotechnics Association · state statutes 2026 · IIHS
Gas Price (Regular)
Well above avg (+1.42 vs national avg)
Consumer Fireworks
Only 'Safe & Sane' non-aerial fireworks; aerial/explosive banned. Many cities ban all fireworks.
Motorcycle Helmet Law
Required for all riders (IIHS 2026)
Weather & Natural Risks84°F avg July▾
Sources: NOAA · NWS Storm Prediction Center · FEMA NRI
Winter Severity
Avg January high: 57°F
Summer Heat
Moderate summers
Annual Rainfall
Tornado Risk
Hurricane Risk
Wildfire Risk
Flood Risk
Natural Hazards41/100 danger▾
Sources: USGS · CDC · USDA APHIS · NOAA · FEMA NRI 2023
Venomous Snakes
Spider Hazard
Scorpions
Hurricane Risk
Tornado Risk
Wildfire Risk
Earthquake Risk
Danger score is a composite index. Methodology ↗
Veteran Benefits42/100 veteran-friendly▾
Sources: VA.gov · Military.com state guide · Tax Foundation
Veteran-Friendly Score
5.8% of state population are veterans
Property Tax Exemption
$4K–$180K exemption based on disability
Military Retirement Pay
Active Duty Pay
VA Facilities Access
Notable Benefits
Explore California counties
Income, housing, poverty, healthcare, ranked by county
See your full cost of living in California
Housing, taxes, childcare, insurance: all estimated.
Compare Similar States
California will change its laws. We'll email you when it does.
One email when California changes a tax, gun, cannabis or abortion law. Unsubscribe in one click.
Guides about California
taxes
California Brain Drain: How Much Income Is Leaving the State
California lost an estimated $24 billion in adjusted gross income to other states between 2022 and 2…
relocation
Best California Counties That Are Actually Affordable
California's median home price sits above $800,000 in 2026, but not every county plays by those rule…
lifestyle
California Nude Beaches: Black's Beach and Beyond
California has exactly one officially recognized nude beach, and getting there requires a steep clif…
relocation
Where Are California Retirees Moving?
California retirees are leaving at record pace, and the destination data tells a clear story. Tax sa…
taxes
How Much You Save Moving From California to Texas
Moving from California to Texas can save a six-figure earner over $10,000 a year in combined taxes a…
taxes
Florida vs. California: The Tax Reality
California's top income tax rate is 13.3%. Florida's is zero. That single fact drives tens of thousa…
Data is informational only. Verify with a tax professional, real estate agent, and local sources before making relocation decisions. Crime data: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023. Healthcare: Commonwealth Fund 2023; life expectancy from County Health Rankings 2024. Education: Education Week 2023. Housing: Zillow monthly index and Census ACS 2022. Insurance: rate surveys 2024. Sponsored links marked “Sponsored” may earn a commission. This does not affect our data or rankings.