California Teacher Pay and Cost of Living: 5 CITIES Compared
Where in CALIFORNIA can YOU go where the pay is high & the cost of living low? Check out this side-by-side comparisons of 5 cities.
Introduction
In California, teacher salaries vary significantly across cities. While some areas offer higher pay, others struggle to meet the cost of living. Let’s compare Los Angeles and San Francisco with Sacramento, San Bernardino, and Riverside.
1. Los Angeles
Teacher Salary: In Los Angeles, a first-year teacher earns nearly $49,0001.
Housing Costs: The average apartment rental ranges between $2,247 and $3,826 per month1.
Affordability: Teachers would pay at least half their salary in rent each year.
Job Search: Explore - Search “CALIFORNIA” then ‘LOS ANGELES COUNTY’…
2. San Francisco
Teacher Salary: San Francisco’s teacher salaries are among the highest in the state.
Housing Costs: The median rent in San Francisco is steep, making it challenging for new teachers.
Opportunities: Despite the high costs, experienced teachers may find better opportunities here.
Job Search: Explore - Search “CALIFORNIA” then ‘SAN FRANCISO COUNTY’…
3. Sacramento
Cost of Living: Sacramento offers a more reasonable cost of living compared to coastal cities.
Job Search: Explore - Search “CALIFORNIA” then ‘SACRAMENTO COUNTY’…
4. San Bernardino
Teacher Pay: Varies, but generally more affordable than coastal cities.
Quality of Life: San Bernardino provides a lower cost of living.
Job Search: Explore - Search “CALIFORNIA” then ‘S. BERNARDINO COUNTY’…
5. Riverside
Teacher Compensation: Riverside strikes a balance between salary and living costs.
Community: It’s a suburban area with a more affordable lifestyle.
Job Search: Explore - Search “CALIFORNIA” then ‘RIVERSIDE COUNTY’…
Remember that teacher pay isn’t the only factor. Consider the overall quality of life, job prospects, and personal preferences when choosing a city to teach in.