In my area of Los Angeles the average rental home is close to $2400 a month and apartments start around $1400 for a small place.
Small homes in my area are close to $500,000, decent homes begin around $800,000. Homes close to the beach are in the millions of dollars for a small home.
Gas/diesel last month close to $5 a gallon (some places neared $6) and are now close to $4 a gallon.
There aren't many new jobs around here due to the economy and government figures for California is 10.2% unemployment.