The American Dream — that ideal that the United States is the Land of Opportunity and anyone can take advantage and become upwardly mobile — never gets cheaper. Inflation makes sure of that.
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A recent GOBankingRates study revealed the cost of the American Dream in the 50 largest U.S. cities, and it is probably no surprise that California is host to six of the top 10 cities — and $200,000 is the cost of living the Dream in those places.
Check out all nine California cities that made the top 50 and how much the American Dream will cost you in these places.
Sacramento
Household income for the American dream: $150K
Total annual cost of living: $75K
Grocery costs per year: $9,496
Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,864
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San Francisco
Household income for the American dream: $297K
Total annual cost of living: $149K
Grocery costs per year: $10,565
Average monthly mortgage cost: $8,110
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San Jose
Household income for the American dream: $319K
Total annual cost of living: $160K
Grocery costs per year: $10,302
Average monthly mortgage cost: $9,228
Bakersfield
Household income for the American dream: $130K
Total annual cost of living: $65K
Grocery costs per year: $8,970
Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,323
Fresno
Household income for the American dream: $130K
Total annual cost of living: $65K
Grocery costs per year: $8,989
Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,308
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San Diego
Household income for the American dream: $242K
Total annual cost of living: $121K
Grocery costs per year: $9,940
Average monthly mortgage cost: $6,660
Oakland
Household income for the American dream: $205K
Total annual cost of living: $102K
Grocery costs per year: $10,085
Average monthly mortgage cost: $4,761
Los Angeles
Household income for the American dream: $234K
Total annual cost of living: $117K
Grocery costs per year: $9,433
Average monthly mortgage cost: $6,007
Long Beach
Household income for the American dream: $215K
Total annual cost of living: $108K
Grocery costs per year: $9,233
Average monthly mortgage cost: $5,321
Methodology: GOBankingRates used data from the U.S. Census American Community Survey, Sperling’s BestPlaces, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, Zillow Home Value Index for January 2025 and Federal Reserve Economic Data. Using the 50/30/20 rule that states 50% of household income goes to needs, 30% goes to discretionary spending and 20% is used for savings, the cost of living was doubled to find the income needed to live the American Dream. All data was collected on and is up to date as of March 4, 2025.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Here’s How Expensive the American Dream Is in 9 California Cities
