Is California or New York a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, New York ranks higher overall. California is #40 and New York is #26 out of 50 states. California wins 2 of 11 categories, while New York wins 9.

How does California compare to New York in cost of living?

California has a cost of living index of 113, while New York's is 108 (100 = national average). New York is more affordable.

Which state is safer, California or New York?

California has 440 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 364 in New York. New York has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in California vs New York?

California's median household income is $91,905, compared to $81,386 in New York.

California vs New York: Side-by-Side (2026)

California

#40·West

42.9Composite Score

VSNew York leads

New York

#26·Northeast

56.8Composite Score

2CA wins

9NY wins

Category Overlay

CaliforniaNew York

Category Scores

💰 EconomyNY +2.4

41.3

43.7

🛡️ SafetyNY +10.1

48.0

58.1

🏥 HealthNY +4.1

69.4

73.5

🎓 EducationNY +12.3

46.9

59.2

💼 Fiscal HealthCA +3.0

47.5

44.5

📈 GrowthNY +9.8

10.1

19.9

🏠 AffordabilityNY +28.2

7.2

35.4

🌿 EnvironmentNY +33.7

24.7

58.4

🏞️ Outdoor AccessCA +10.6

40.8

30.2

🚇 TransportationNY +12.6

45.7

58.3

🎭 LivabilityNY +17.6

37.5

55.1

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	California	New York	Winner
Population	38,965,193	19,571,216	CA
Median Income	$91,905	$81,386	CA
Unemployment	5.4%	4.5%	NY
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	440	364	NY
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	113	108	NY
HS Graduation Rate	85%	85%	Tie
Life Expectancy	79.8 yr	79.1 yr	CA
Pop Growth	+0.2%	+0.4%	NY

California vs New York: How Do They Compare?

California ranks #40 overall with a composite score of 42.9, earning a C grade. New York sits at #26 with 56.8 and a B grade. New York has the edge overall, winning 9 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, California has 5.4% unemployment and a $91,905 median income, while New York reports 4.5% unemployment and $81,386 median income.

For safety, California's violent crime rate is 440 per 100K compared to 364 in New York. Cost of living favors New York with an index of 108 vs 113.

Explore These States

California Full Profile42.9 New York Full Profile56.8 Compare Other States→

Data Sources

📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2024📎America's Health Rankings, 2025📎WalletHub/NAEP, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024📎Cook Political Report, PVI 2024📎Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025📎ALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025📎WalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025📎BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023📎EPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024📎FCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025📎National Park Service API, 2024📎USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting)📎FHWA Highway Statistics, 2023📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎EIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024📎DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023📎BEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023📎NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24📎EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22📎NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23📎BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023📎NASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023📎Census Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022📎Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023📎Pew Charitable Trusts, FY2022📎S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023)📎IRS Statistics of Income, Migration Data 2021-2022