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Is it better to rent or buy in California? Explore median costs, utility estimates, and run the numbers on your own budget to see how far your income goes.
Adjust the sliders to match your scenario. We recommend keeping total housing costs under 40% of your gross income.
Median in area: $692
Median in area: $158,009
Based on median housing data, renting is currently more affordable on a monthly basis in California. The estimated all-in monthly cost for renting is $908, while owning a median-priced home with a 20% down payment is roughly $1,233 per month (a difference of $325).
The average monthly utility cost (electricity and natural gas) for a typical home in California is approximately $216. This estimate uses local utility rate schedules combined with median energy consumption profiles.
To comfortably afford the median rent and utilities in California without exceeding the recommended 30% housing-to-income threshold, a household should earn a gross salary of approximately $36,320 per year.