Quality of Life

California vs Massachusetts: Cost of Living

California is cheaper overall by 10.3 cost-of-living points, but Massachusetts has lower median home values.

California

CA · West

Winner

138.5

Composite cost of living index (100 = national average). Lower = more affordable.

Massachusetts

MA · Northeast

148.8

Composite cost of living index (100 = national average). Lower = more affordable.

Visual comparison

California138.5

Massachusetts148.8

Difference: 10.3 points — California leads.

National Rankings

Where They Rank Nationally

See where both states fall among all 50 states for cost of living.

California #48 · 138.5

Massachusetts #49 · 148.8

Best Worst

10 Best States — Cost of Living

Lower is better

West Virginia

83.6

Mississippi

85.5

Arkansas

87.6

Kentucky

88.0

Alabama

88.6

Oklahoma

88.6

Missouri

90.0

Kansas

90.2

Iowa

91.0

#10

Ohio

91.0

Selected states

#48

California

138.5

#49

Massachusetts

148.8

California ranks 48th and Massachusetts ranks 49th nationally for cost of living.

Overview

Cost of Living in context

A fast-reading view of the tradeoffs behind the raw cost numbers.

Overall

California feels cheaper overall

California has the lower cost-of-living index, beating Massachusetts by 10.3 points on the overall affordability baseline.

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Housing

pay about 1.4x more for a home

Massachusetts has the lower median home value, while buying in California costs materially more at the median.

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Rent Pressure

Massachusetts puts less pressure on a median paycheck

Median rent takes a smaller share of household income in Massachusetts than in California, which makes monthly budgeting easier.

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Taxes

Massachusetts keeps more income after state tax

Massachusetts has the lower top state income tax rate, which softens the total cost picture even when prices are close.

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Cost stack

California

Overall affordability

Cost of living index: 138.5
Regional price parity: 113.4
Regular gas price: $5.929/gal
Electricity price: 30.29 c/kWh

Housing

Median gross rent: $1,856/mo
Median home value: $693,700
Owner costs w/ mortgage: $3,001/mo
Owner costs w/o mortgage: $882/mo

Taxes

State income tax: 13.30%
State sales tax: 7.25%
Property tax: 0.70%

Income

Median household income: $84,097
Income after median rent: $5,152
Minimum wage: $16.50/hr

Laws

Gun laws: Restrictive
Alcohol system: License State
Marijuana status: Legal

Massachusetts

Overall affordability

Cost of living index: 148.8
Regional price parity: 110.4
Regular gas price: $3.933/gal
Electricity price: 31.16 c/kWh

Housing

Median gross rent: $1,678/mo
Median home value: $510,400
Owner costs w/ mortgage: $2,755/mo
Owner costs w/o mortgage: $1,069/mo

Taxes

State income tax: 5.00%
State sales tax: 6.25%
Property tax: 1.07%

Income

Median household income: $96,505
Income after median rent: $6,364
Minimum wage: $15.00/hr

Laws

Gun laws: Restrictive
Alcohol system: License State
Marijuana status: Legal

What stands out

Massachusetts has lower median home values.
California has the lower overall cost index.
Massachusetts has the higher median household income.
Massachusetts looks more attainable on home value to income ratio.

Affordability ratios

Owner costs to income

California: 21.0%

Massachusetts: 19.5%

What this means