“For CA to be on a par with the national average, another 8% of the population would have to be lifted out of poverty.”
Well, CA leads the nation by $10k per year in real, median household income. Half above, half below.
CA also leads the nation in per capita income.
And both gaps are accelerating, YoY for the last 3 years.
And that’s with the highest total and percentage of “poor” AND welfare recipients.
That 8% you cling to is made up on the top end.
Now, don’t get me wrong and think I’m an advocate for the commies that run the state. Everything they do is wrong.
CA is this rich IN SPITE of them.
Will there be a reckoning one day? I have no doubt.
But it’s not here yet.
How’s that for math and deductive reasoning? Did YOUR school teach either?
Well, CA leads the nation by $10k per year in real, median household income. Half above, half below.
What good is it if the median income is $10k higher than the national average, if the cost of living is so high that it eats up that entire difference?
I live in Maryland, which has the highest median household income in the US, and the fourth highest median individual income. California, for comparison, is #9 household and #15 individual median income. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_income)
The largest chunk of living expenses is housing. So, here is a description of my house, which various real estate sites estimate is worth $260-280K:
WELL MAINTAINED 3 BEDROOM 2 FULL 2 HALF BATH COLONIAL IN HISTORIC ________. FEATURES INCLUDE NEW FLOORING & FRESHLY PAINTED, MAKING YOUR DECORATING A BREEZE, NEW CARPET, HUGE KITCHEN NEW A/C 2011, NEW WATER HEATER 2014, NEW ROOF 2014, FULLY FINISHED LL REC ROOM W/ WALK OUT TO FENCED IN PATIO, LARGE DECK WITH NEW SLIDING GLASS DOOR.CONVENIENT ACCESS TO I-95. LOCATED IN QUIET CUL-DE-SAC. (1,574 sq. ft, monthy P&I $1293 estimated) (Plus we have a finished basement, which does not count in the sq. footage.)
Vs. a similar home for sale where we lived when I was a teenager:
San Ramon, CA 94583
3 beds 2 baths 1,361 sqft
For Sale
$840,000
Zestimate®: $870,485
Est. Mortgage $3,345/mo
This wonderful single story family home is located on a premium lot with no direct rear neighbors and easy access to the Iron Horse Trail, K-12 top rated schools and parks. This 1,361 square foot, three bedroom, two bath home features a new HVAC system, an eat-in kitchen with recessed lighting, stainless steel appliances, smooth surface counter tops, pantry and adjoining family room with a brick fireplace. You will also discover a spacious living room with crown moldings, three large bedrooms and a backyard with great potential for a private oasis, this is a must see! (Note: no basement, and the lot is 3,000 sq. feet smaller than ours.)
Holy cow! More than 3 times the price for less house! And it doesn't even have soffits!
How’s that for math and deductive reasoning? Did YOUR school teach either?
My math and deductive reasoning are doing just fine, thank you. And, for what it's worth, I went to high school with that embarrassingly annoying and out-of-touch congressman, Adam Schiff. And I do mean, literally went to school with him, same class and everything. Apparently, I learned the logic and deductive reasoning a lot better than he did. And no, I don't remember him (thankfully).
Perhaps you should try getting out of CA and taking a look at some other states. Maryland isn't the best example (but it is still affordable), but there are many much more affordable states with excellent quality of life.