California
140.5
composite · rank #49
- Housing
- 189.5
- Grocery
- 110.5
- Utilities
- 134.6
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026California vs Massachusetts Cost of Living
California has the lower cost of living by 7.3 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
California is lower
7.3 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in Massachusetts is roughly $95,061 in California.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
Massachusetts
147.8
composite · rank #50
- Housing
- 217.5
- Grocery
- 106.8
- Utilities
- 143.9
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | California | Massachusetts | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 110.5 | 106.8 | Massachusetts |
| Housing | 189.5 | 217.5 | California |
| Utilities | 134.6 | 143.9 | California |
| Transportation | 142 | 108.5 | Massachusetts |
| Health care | 111.1 | 131.8 | California |
| Misc. goods & services | 116 | 118.3 | California |
Grocery
California110.5
Massachusetts106.8
Lower cost: Massachusetts
Housing
California189.5
Massachusetts217.5
Lower cost: California
Utilities
California134.6
Massachusetts143.9
Lower cost: California
Transportation
California142
Massachusetts108.5
Lower cost: Massachusetts
Health care
California111.1
Massachusetts131.8
Lower cost: California
Misc. goods & services
California116
Massachusetts118.3
Lower cost: California
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in Massachusetts | Needed in California |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $52,598 | $47,530 |
| $75,000 | $78,897 | $71,296 |
| $100,000 | $105,196 | $95,061 |
| $150,000 | $157,794 | $142,591 |
| $250,000 | $262,989 | $237,652 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Massachusetts$52,598
In California$47,530
$75,000 origin salary
In Massachusetts$78,897
In California$71,296
$100,000 origin salary
In Massachusetts$105,196
In California$95,061
$150,000 origin salary
In Massachusetts$157,794
In California$142,591
Housing gap
California housing is 189.5; Massachusetts is 217.5.
Salary planning
$100,000 in California is roughly $105,196 in Massachusetts.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
California vs Massachusetts cost of living FAQs
California has the lower cost of living by 7.3 index points. The composite indexes are 140.5 in California and 147.8 in Massachusetts (US average = 100).
About $105,196 in Massachusetts would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in California, based on the composite indexes.
About $95,061 in California would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Massachusetts.
Housing indexes are 189.5 in California and 217.5 in Massachusetts. Housing is often the largest driver, but groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, and other goods also matter.
No. These are statewide averages of participating urban areas. Your city, neighborhood, housing choice, family size, and spending mix can produce a very different personal cost of living.
California has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
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Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
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Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.