Aside from property prices, property taxes and gas, is California that much more expensive than other states ? (Long Beach: sales, car registration)

[MIDAYADA]

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[marino760]

You can add utility costs also. Electricity rates are double what they are in many states. Also, don't forget annual car registration fees are also among the highest in the country.

[MIDAYADA]

Originally Posted by marino760

You can add utility costs also. Electricity rates are double what they are in many states. Also, don't forget annual car registration fees are also among the highest in the country.

I see that California is amongst the highest prices for electricity as you say but it seems that generally, consumption per household ranks right at the lower end.

[happly retired]

utility tax, fees to camp at state parks, sales tax owe 10% in alot of counties, tickets, building permits, water, sewage connection fees, trash, even day workers want 15 buck per hour - i can go on and on

[marino760]

Originally Posted by MIDAYADA

I see that California is amongst the highest prices for electricity as you say but it seems that generally, consumption per household ranks right at the lower end.

That's most likely because a large portion of the population lives along the coast where temps aren't high enough to warrant using the AC on many days. People also tend to use less electricity because of the very high cost. If you live in the inland parts, deserts, your monthly electricity bill can be quite huge even when you try to conserve.

[jcp123]

Originally Posted by marino760

You can add utility costs also. Electricity rates are double what they are in many states. Also, don't forget annual car registration fees are also among the highest in the country.

Depends. The way they calculate registration escapes me, but it was $20/yr more for my Bronco that I had here in Texas than in California.

[MIDAYADA]

Originally Posted by marino760

That's most likely because a large portion of the population lives along the coast where temps aren't high enough to warrant using the AC on many days. People also tend to use less electricity because of the very high cost. If you live in the inland parts, deserts, your monthly electricity bill can be quite huge even when you try to conserve.

Thanks, as you say, it'll be very different for someone who lives in Palm Springs compared to Long Beach. I should have added, we are looking to settle probably in Orange or Ventura counties.

[MIDAYADA]

Originally Posted by jcp123

Depends. The way they calculate registration escapes me, but it was $20/yr more for my Bronco that I had here in Texas than in California.

Is a blanket 0.65% of the value?

[marino760]

Originally Posted by MIDAYADA

Is a blanket 0.65% of the value?

This may help you compare with other states.

https://www.compare.com/auto-insuran...more%20rows%20

Last year I paid a little over $200 for a 2011 Kia. Plus another fee for smog and smog check because of the age of the car. I think it cost me about $300 total for a 10 year old inexpensive car.

[MIDAYADA]

Originally Posted by marino760

This may help you compare with other states.

https://www.compare.com/auto-insuran...more%20rows%20

Last year I paid a little over $200 for a 2011 Kia. Plus another fee for smog and smog check because of the age of the car. I think it cost me about $300 total for a 10 year old inexpensive car.

Thanks Marino,

That could be very helpful, i'll study that later. Here in the UK, i pay £475 (approx $620) on a 2016 VW Toureg (SUV). I'm guessing that this would be similar to California, maybe even more.