Is $100,000 enough to live in California?
Short answer: Comfortable, depending on lifestyle and city.
Monthly take-home
$6,107
Estimated baseline living cost: $2,600 – $5,300 per month for a single adult (U.S. average).
Annual take-home
$73,283
After taxes, a $100,000 salary in California results in approximately $73,283 per year, or about $6,107 per month.
Typical monthly cost breakdown in California
Rent & utilities
$2,000 – $2,800
Food & groceries
$500 – $700
Transportation
$300 – $600
Health & insurance
$300 – $500
👉 With this salary, living in California is comfortable for a single adult.
How this salary feels in major cities
San Francisco
Est. monthly cost: $4,800
Los Angeles
Est. monthly cost: $3,800
San Diego
Est. monthly cost: $3,600
Sacramento
Est. monthly cost: $3,000
These estimates assume a single filer using standard deductions and average living costs. Actual comfort depends heavily on city, housing choices, and personal spending habits.