How much do you need to ‘live comfortably’ in California? See 2026 income range

As housing, groceries, transportation and other everyday expenses continue to rise, how much you earn can make a big difference in your financial comfort.

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However, the income needed to live comfortably can vary depending on where you live.

California is one of the most expensive states in the country when it comes to the salary needed for a comfortable lifestyle, according to A recent report by personal finance website SmartAsset.

The Golden State ranked third among the U.S. states where individuals and families need the highest incomes to cover their expenses, have money for extras and save for the future.

“As housing, grocery, transportation and other essential costs pressure household budgets, earning a six-figure salary no longer guarantees financial comfort in much of the U.S.,” SmartAsset said in its Aug. 13 report.

How much do you need to make to live comfortably in California?

Here’s what to know:

How much do singles, families need to live comfortably in the US?

According to SmartAsset, a single adult needs to earn at least $80,000 a year to live comfortably in every state.

In nearly half of states, that threshold exceeds $100,000.

For a family of four, the amount needed can climb as high as $329,000.

“In most states, a family of four needs at least $200,000 a year to live comfortably,” SmartAsset said. “That threshold applies in 40 states for households with two working adults and two children.”

What is the most expensive state for living costs?

Hawaii is the most expensive state for a single adult, according to SmartAsset.

In 2026, a single person in Hawaii needs to earn about $129,002 a year to cover necessities, spend on some extras, save for the future and pay taxes.

That’s up from about $124,467 in 2025.

Hawaii ranks second for families after Massachusetts.

A family of four needs to earn about $313,165 a year to maintain a comfortable lifestyle in Hawaii in 2026, according to SmartAsset.

How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in California?

California ranked third among the most expensive states for both a single adult and a family of four.

A single adult in California needs to earn about $126,797 a year in 2026 to cover basic expenses, have money for discretionary spending, pay taxes and save for the future, according to SmartAsset.

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That’s up from about $119,475 in 2025.

For a family of four, the income needed is even higher.

SmartAsset found that a household with two working adults and two children needs to earn about $302,682 a year to live comfortably in California.

That’s an increase from about $287,456 in 2025.

What are 10 most expensive states for singles and families?

Here are the top 10 most expensive U.S. states to live comfortably in 2026, according to SmartAsset:

1. Hawaii
2. Massachusetts
3. California
4. New York
5. New Jersey
6. Washington
7. Oregon
8. Connecticut
9. Colorado
10. Maryland

What are the 10 most affordable states for singles and families?

SmartAsset said these were the 10 most affordable states for invididuals and families in 2026:

1. West Virginia
2. Arkansas
3. Kentucky
4. Louisiana
5. South Dakota
6. North Dakota
7. Mississippi
8. Oklahoma
9. Ohio
10. Alabama

How did SmartAsset come up with its findings?

SmartAsset used data from MIT’s Living Wage Calculator to figure out the basic cost of living for a single adult with no children and for a family with two working adults and two kids.

This includes essentials such as housing, food, transportation, taxes and other necessary expenses, updated with the latest data, as of Feb. 15.

Using the 50/30/20 budgeting rule, SmartAsset assumed these essential costs make up 50% of your budget.

The site then calculated how much income a person or family would need in total so they could also spend 30% on wants and set aside 20% for savings or debt payments.