Brit living in California shares how expensive it really is to live there

A British woman who lives in Los Angeles revealed the shocking price difference between her apartment and her cottage in Northamptonshire.

Katie Timmins, who's known as @uncoolincali on TikTok, posted a video on February 14 and revealed how much it costs for her and her significant other to live in LA.

According to the TikToker, their two-bedroom apartment costs about $4,500 a month.

The pair also own a five-bedroom cottage in Moulton, Northamptonshire and their mortgage is 'less than half' of their monthly rent. 

She explained her living situation while grocery shopping at Trader Joe's.

Timmins posted another TikTok video on February 21 and showed off her swanky LA apartment, which was popular amongst other users on the social media platform. 

Katie Timmins posted a February 14 video on her TikTok @uncoolincali and revealed how expensive it is for she and her significant other to live in Los Angeles

The couple, who moved to Los Angeles for job opportunities, currently live in a two-bedroom apartment that costs around $4,500 a month

The TikToker claimed that the amount of money they must pay for their LA apartment rental is more than half the amount of what their mortgage is for a cottage in Moulton

Timmens' expenses may not come as a surprise to some Californians.

According to Forbes Advisor, California is ranked number 3 for the highest cost of living at $53,171.

Officials determined that number based on average yearly expenses for housing, healthcare, taxes, food, and transportation.

However, in 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that California has an annual average wage of more than $73,000.

The TikToker's apartment rent cost is also a believable number since California was ranked second in a list of states with the highest rental costs compiled by Forbes Advisor.

Near the end of the video, she showed viewers the total price of her groceries, which came out to $133.93.

Californians should expect to pay a good amount of money for their annual food cost - $5,262.

That data, which was created by C2ER in 2023, indicates that California is ranked third in a list of the most expensive food prices.

These prices are incredibly different compared to the average housing mortgage and rental costs in the Northamptonshire area.

According to Forbes Advisor, California is ranked number 3 for the highest cost of living at $53,171 and is less than $1,000 away from the second spot on the list

The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that California has an annual average wage of more than $73,000, which is above the US average

Timmens, who kept her cottage in Moulton, did not share how much her mortgage is for the 17th-century home.

However, according to UK housing website William H Brown, Moulton's monthly mortgage estimate is nearly $1,500 for someone with a 4.7 percent interest rate who puts down a deposit of more than $64,000.

A two-bedroom apartment rental in Moulton is also more affordable than one in LA by a staggering amount.

According to Houses For Sale & to Rent, the average price of a two-bedroom property for rent is less than $1,250. 

The TikToker's video was flooded with comments made by other users who wrote about their own experiences with living expenses.

Several comments were made by women based in the US and the UK, with one even claiming to be 'a Brit from Cali.'

According to Houses For Sale & to Rent, the average price of a two-bedroom property for rent is less than $1,250

'We moved to the Napa Valley from Liverpool 4 years ago and haven't looked back,' one TikToker wrote. 'Food shopping is crazy though! I'd recommend joining Costco.'

A few commenters praised Trader Joe's for their affordable prices and one commenter from the UK revealed that she did a 'massive Trader Joe's haul' while she was in the US.

'Visited Trader Joe's two weeks ago on a USA visit. I loved it! It’s American version of M&S food,' another commenter wrote.

At least three TikTokers wrote that there is no sale tax on food items in California but that those items are still pricey in the US.

'Food is high in the States. I recommend not shopping at high end, elite stores. However, if you can afford it, fine,' a TikToker commented.