Is $200k a Good Salary in California? The Surprising Truth!

The Cost of Living in California: A Reality Check

Let’s not beat around the bush. California is expensive. No, seriously, the cost of living in this state is crazy high. From rent prices to groceries, everything seems to cost more than you’d expect. So, is $200k really enough to live comfortably here?

Well, it’s a bit tricky. For example, you could be living in a modest apartment in some parts of California, but in places like San Francisco or Los Angeles, that might just get you a tiny studio. It's not just the housing—everything costs more. I remember chatting with my friend Jessica, who just moved to LA. She thought her $150k salary was more than enough until she saw her rent skyrocket. We talked about it, and she realized that $200k might be the baseline to feel "comfortable" in these pricey cities.

Housing Costs: The Elephant in the Room

Look, the major chunk of your salary will likely go toward housing, especially if you’re living in or near a major city like San Francisco, Los Angeles, or San Diego. The median home price in California as of 2024 is well over $800,000. Rent in major cities averages around $2,500-$4,500 a month for a decent 1-2 bedroom apartment. So, if you’re making $200k, after taxes, you’re taking home around $130k. If you’re in a pricey area, a chunk of that income is gone on rent or mortgage.

It’s frustrating, really. You think $200k should be enough to buy a nice house or even just rent a decent place, but in California, that just doesn’t go as far as you’d think.

Taxes and Deductions: How Much Are You Really Taking Home?

Alright, so you’re making $200k, but don’t forget about taxes. California is known for its high state taxes, and when you add federal taxes on top of that, you might find that your paycheck isn’t as large as you thought. Depending on where you live and your filing status, taxes can take away about 35%-45% of your income.

Yeah, that’s right. You could end up seeing your take-home pay shrink quite a bit after everything is said and done. A couple of years ago, I had a colleague who moved to California, and he was a bit shocked when he realized that his $200k salary wasn’t going as far as he expected. Taxes, insurance, and deductions meant he had to budget much more carefully than he anticipated. You’ll really want to look into tax planning if you’re in this salary range.

Can You Still Save on $200k?

It depends. Saving on $200k in California is absolutely possible, but it won’t be as easy as you might think. After all, there’s the rent or mortgage to pay, along with utilities, insurance, food, and those surprise expenses (seriously, who knew taking your car to the mechanic would cost so much?!).

However, if you’re living in a more affordable area like Sacramento or Fresno, you might have more room to save. But, in places like Silicon Valley or Malibu, you may need to reconsider your savings goals. It’s not impossible, but it might require some creative thinking and sacrifice in other areas.

Lifestyle Choices: What Do You Value?

A $200k salary in California will give you a lifestyle that many would envy, but it’s not without compromises. You’ll likely be able to afford nice vacations, eat out at good restaurants, and maybe even buy a few luxury items. But, don’t expect to live like a celebrity unless you're living somewhere like Beverly Hills or the heart of Silicon Valley.

Last week, I had a long conversation with my buddy Tom, who just moved to California for a new job. He’s making $200k, but he quickly realized it’s a balancing act. He doesn’t mind living in a less central area, commuting a bit longer to work, so he can save on rent. He prefers spending on experiences over material stuff, so that works for him. But if you’re someone who wants all the perks of city life, you’ll need to reconsider what you're willing to sacrifice.

Final Thoughts: Is $200k Enough in California?

So, is $200k a good salary in California? The answer is, it depends. For many people, it’s a solid income. But depending on where you live, what your lifestyle is like, and how you manage your finances, it can either feel like a lot or just enough to get by.

But here's the kicker: it’s possible to make $200k work, but you have to be smart about your choices. If you’re in a high-cost area, you may need to scale back on some luxuries. On the other hand, if you’re flexible with where you live and are willing to compromise a bit, you’ll be able to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. The key is balance and realistic expectations.

One thing’s for sure, though: in California, you’ll need to do your homework on budgeting and taxes to make that $200k go as far as possible.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.