Compare states / California
CA
Compare California with other states
California is the most populous state, with about 39.4 million residents and 252 people per square mile. Its top income-tax rate of 13.3% is the highest among the 50 states; its average combined sales tax of 8.99% is the 7th-highest nationally. Housing is expensive: the median home value of $778,217 is the 2nd-highest in the country. It has 9 national parks, more than any other state.
Data: California (ftb.ca.gov, dmv.ca.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | 1%–12.3%, plus 1% over $1M (13.3% top) |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 8.99% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.70% effective |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | Vehicle license fee of 0.65% of value (not a county PPT) |
| Social Security tax | Not taxed. The state exempts Social Security benefits from income tax. |
| Estate tax | No state estate tax. |
| Inheritance tax | No state inheritance tax. |
| Minimum wage | Statewide minimum wage $16.90. Some cities set a higher local rate. |
| Median home value | $778,217 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 7.25% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $23.00 |
| Registration (base) | $70.00 |
| Car inspection | Smog check in most counties |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually need a new state license |
Parks and people
| State parks | 89 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 9 |
| Population | 39,355,309 |
| Population density | 252.5 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 32.5% White (non-Hispanic) 41.2% Hispanic 6.4% Black 17.5% Asian |
| Violent crime | 486.0 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in California
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 13.3%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in California
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 7.25% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in California
- Get a CA driver license within 10 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in California.
- Title and register the car within 20 days. Inspection: Smog check in most counties.
- Make sure car insurance meets 15/30/5.
- Register to vote. California elections site.
- Nurse license: California is not in the nurse compact. Plan on a new CA RN application — a compact license typically does not carry over.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in California: September 1. Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
How California compares
Alaska does not tax wages. California’s top listed rate is 13.3% (1%–12.3%, plus 1% over $1M (13.3% top)).
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include California are listed here.
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- State income tax. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. California does not tax Social Security benefits (CA tax agency).
- Estate tax. California has no state estate tax (CA tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. California has no state inheritance tax (CA tax agency).
- Minimum wage. California $16.90.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. California 7.25%.
- State parks. California 89. Official designated state parks.
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; CA 9).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (CA).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. California 10 days.
- Days to title a car. California 20 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled