California
140.5
composite · rank #49
- Housing
- 189.5
- Grocery
- 110.5
- Utilities
- 134.6
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026California vs New York Cost of Living
New York has the lower cost of living by 15.8 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
New York is lower
15.8 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in California is roughly $88,754 in New York.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
New York
124.7
composite · rank #46
- Housing
- 172.3
- Grocery
- 100.3
- Utilities
- 102.2
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | California | New York | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 110.5 | 100.3 | New York |
| Housing | 189.5 | 172.3 | New York |
| Utilities | 134.6 | 102.2 | New York |
| Transportation | 142 | 111.5 | New York |
| Health care | 111.1 | 108.9 | New York |
| Misc. goods & services | 116 | 104.9 | New York |
Grocery
California110.5
New York100.3
Lower cost: New York
Housing
California189.5
New York172.3
Lower cost: New York
Utilities
California134.6
New York102.2
Lower cost: New York
Transportation
California142
New York111.5
Lower cost: New York
Health care
California111.1
New York108.9
Lower cost: New York
Misc. goods & services
California116
New York104.9
Lower cost: New York
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in New York | Needed in California |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $44,377 | $56,335 |
| $75,000 | $66,566 | $84,503 |
| $100,000 | $88,754 | $112,670 |
| $150,000 | $133,132 | $169,006 |
| $250,000 | $221,886 | $281,676 |
$50,000 origin salary
In New York$44,377
In California$56,335
$75,000 origin salary
In New York$66,566
In California$84,503
$100,000 origin salary
In New York$88,754
In California$112,670
$150,000 origin salary
In New York$133,132
In California$169,006
Housing gap
California housing is 189.5; New York is 172.3.
Salary planning
$100,000 in California is roughly $88,754 in New York.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
California vs New York cost of living FAQs
New York has the lower cost of living by 15.8 index points. The composite indexes are 140.5 in California and 124.7 in New York (US average = 100).
About $88,754 in New York would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in California, based on the composite indexes.
About $112,670 in California would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in New York.
Housing indexes are 189.5 in California and 172.3 in New York. 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.
New York 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.