COST OF LIVING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Utility costs vary, of course, by jurisdiction, the size of your home, your home’s amenities and your personal consumption. As a rough guideline, here are the approximate monthly utility costs for a newer home of about 3,000 square feet with a pool and a small amount of lawn, and four people living on the premises.

Water: $ 70

Electricity: $165

Gas (heating and cooking): $120

Phone, cable (for television) and high-speed Internet access depend totally on usage and the providers of these services.

In addition to utility costs, many neighborhoods in Southern California are governed by Covenants, Codes and Restrictions (CCRs), and they have Homeowner Associations (HOAs) and association dues. These dues can range from a small amount annually to a monthly assessment of hundreds of dollars.

Vehicle taxes are assessed by the Department of Motor Vehicles.