Affordability In California
Why does it cost so much to live in California? With recent Democrat (socialist) victories in New York, Virginia, and elsewhere, the Democrats seem to be running on the claim that they are the party of “affordability”. But what are the real facts? How much more does it cost to live in California, New York, Virginia, New Jersey or any other BLUE state?
We went to a website called “My Life Elsewhere” where you can type in your city and compare it to other cities across the country for various costs and services. These costs & services include: food, clothing, utilities (gas & electric), state income tax, day care, and the cost to eat out. The site goes as far as citing how many young adults are still living at home in the Red Vs. Blue states. The numbers are revealing.
For example, the cost of living in California is about 25% higher, on average, than most other states, and when compared to Red states, it’s more like 30% or higher. The contrast between RED and BLUE states is revealing. For example:
· The cost of living in Boston (BLUE) is about the same as San Jose;
· The cost of living in NYC (BLUE) is 16% more expensive than San Jose.
The tax climate in California ranks 48th in the country
Whereas, the cost of living in these five cities, Memphis, Dallas, San Antonio, Boise and Oklahoma City is on average 23% less than it is in California. Even BLUE Minneapolis is about 16% less costly than California. We did not include Florida as this makes the numbers even worse for the Democrats.
What are the reasons for this difference of the cost of living here in California versus most of the rest of the country?
1. Transportation: In California, we have higher gas taxes. The government wants to stop drilling altogether and shut down the remaining refineries, despite the new push for the additional move towards all-electric stoves, water heaters and furnaces, and the new power demand for AI. Water is also made to seem “scarce” and therefore we have the highest water rates anywhere, despite having a surplus of water;
2. State Income Tax: California has one of the highest or the highest state income tax rates in the Country;
3. Property tax, DMV tax, local sales tax, payroll tax, etc. In most cases it is higher in California than almost anywhere else in the Country;
4. Regulations: Full Stop. Want to build an ADU? How about a small nuclear reactor to generate clean power? How about Building Codes? What about the cost of starting a small business? Mandatory minimum wage? The list goes on and on, and for those who have to deal with these costs, they know this was not always the case.
How can this cost-of-living difference be corrected?
There have been a lot of ideas floated about, but one of the most important is to reduce the size and scope of the state government – from taxes, to unions to regulations to energy production, just for starters. Allow affordable housing to be built without all of the kickbacks to the city, county or state. Some other thoughts are:
1. Elect more Republicans to the state legislature and state senate seats that are open:
2. Elect a Republican governor who has a bit of common sense;
3. Allow the housing that has been previously committed to actually be built – NOW!
4. Reduce state expenditures and give residents a break;
5. Create laws that inspire and support the creation of small businesses, rather than to tax them out of existence before they open their doors.
The bottom line:
Unless there is change, it will only get worse. California may soon end up looking like New York City or Chicago. Prosecute criminals. Support ICE. Drop DEI, CRT and support for sanctuary city status. Oppose Rank Choice Voting. Elect Republicans or conservatives to want to restore common sense to California.
Finally, if your free speech or your rights are infringed by our local or state government, start a campaign. Make a statement. Become active. Make your voices heard. Love your neighbor by talking to them about how California is headed in the wrong direction and unless we do something, we may all end up living in Boise.
