This person doesn't believe things in California are more expensive.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

Therefore, I am asking from input by California residents.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=114x80297#80318

[EFerrari]

1. I posted a rent comparison. How warm is Des Moines this time of year?!

:)

[Brother Buzz]

2. Location, location, location

My brother's annual property tax in Portola Valley, Calif. is higher than median home price In Detroit.

[Retrograde]

3. Anecdotal evidence

When I was shopping in western New York last summer (house prices in Buffalo are comparable with those in Detroit) last year strawberries grown and packaged in California were $.50 less than the same brand at my local store, even after being transported 2500 miles. IMHO the price differences reflect the differences in real estate costs, and to a smaller extent labor costs.

Housing prices are the biggest difference across the country. There are a lot of nationally distributed products that have the same MSRP nationwide, although they may be discounted differently in different areas.

[annm4peace]

4. Depends on what part of CA.

Are you refering to the California that only consists of San Francisco, LA and San Diego; or are you talking about all of California??

there is a big difference.

[mackerel]

5. I live in the S.F. Bay Area but work in the central valley.

It's more expensive across the state than most other states.

Housing is a gimme.

Gas is much higher here than other states.

Everything here is a la carte unlike most other states.

[XemaSab]

6. Unless you're talking about a really depressed area of the Central Valley

it's hard to get anything for less than $180,000.

[annm4peace]

7. or the depressed area on the far east side of the mohave

or the true north of the CA.

[JDPriestly]

9. Housing costs are higher in California than in most states.

Of course prices in big cities elsewhere are high.

Housing in Fresno is supposed to be really cheap right now. But the median price for a three-bedroom house is $150,000.

http://www.trulia.com/real_estate/Fresno-California/market-trends/

Elsewhere,

The median family income is fairly high — $68,700 — and median home prices are a very reasonable $96,000, according to the National Association of Homebuilders and Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index.

http://treefroggroup.com/2010/05/most-and-least-affordable-cities-to-buy-a-house-2010/

See the cities with the most expensive housing listed here:

http://treefroggroup.com/2010/05/most-and-least-affordable-cities-to-buy-a-house-2010/

New York, San Francisco, Honolulu, Santa Ana and Los Angeles. Three of those cities are in California. And the housing is maybe two to three times the national average. So, housing is the big cost here.

I talked to a friend who just leased a one-bedroom for $2000 per month in a not-all-that great part of L.A. My area is pretty low-income, and $2000 per month for a house or good apartment is pretty normal here. There is a house near us in which 18 people share a kitchen. Each person has a tiny room. I think they are paying maybe $500 per person per month, but I am not sure. The neighbors are furious that the people are living in such crowded conditions because of the impact on parking. I also worry about the fire hazard and the danger of violence when there is such crowding.

[pinboy3niner]

8. CA has one of the highest COL's (4th highest for groceries)

From the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (for 1st Quarter, 2010):




Composite Cost of Living (Scaled)
1st Quarter 2010


Cost of Living Data Series
1st Quarter 2010
http://www.missourieconomy.org/indicators/cost_of_living/index.stm


ETA: The link has a GREAT chart that breaks down various living costs for all 50 states.

[mackerel]

10. The saying still applies -

Once you leave California you can only afford to come back for short visits.