Although all 50 states in the US operate similar social and political structures, they all differ from one another. Like each of the remaining states, California is unique in its difference. But how does California differ from the other states?
California differs from other states in terms of its unique social, political, cultural, climatic, and recreational features. It’s the only state in the US that has all these combined. That’s why it’s a top destination for vacations, innovation, limitless adventures, economy, entertainment, etc.
If you’re interested in knowing how California distinguishes itself from other states, this post is for you. Here, we’ll explore its unique differences, especially how they make the state stand out among others.
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Factors that Differentiates California from the Other States
The following are some of the leading factors that differentiate the Golden State from others:
1. Size
While all states in the United States are bound by the same constitutional provisions, they differ by size. Some states in the Union are so big you could fit an entire country into them. California, for instance, is the third largest state by area in the country.
This is the first and most obvious difference it has from other states. It has 155,973 square miles, a size that is the same as Austria, Kosovo, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Netherlands, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic combined. Compared to other states in the Union, California is 135 times bigger than Rhode Island.
2. Population
California’s population is another difference compared to other US states. By a large margin, the state is the most populous in the US, with 39,613,493 people. If California were a country, it would have been the 38th most populous in the world. And the good thing about this is it has a big size to complement the number of people within its geography.
The growth in the number of people in the state is partly due to the pleasant climate. It’s the first of a few states in the US with pleasant temperatures all year round. Other reasons why the state is desirable are its natural environment, beaches, fertile agricultural land, and many others.
3. Economic Output
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, California is the most productive state in the US. It was established that the state had $3.35T GDP in 2021, which accounts for 14.6% of the country’s total through tourism, agriculture, silicon valley, and Hollywood, among others. If California were to be a sovereign nation, its economic output would be enough to make it the fifth largest in the world.
This economic dominance differentiates it from other states. While it’s partly due to the population size, other factors influencing the state’s economic success include a fertile business environment, high educational level, Hollywood, high wage rate, silicon valley, and so on. It’s simply a state with a diverse economy.
4. Climate
Weather partly accounts for the reason people desire or detest a particular location. Since most people prefer warm temperatures and clear skies, there’s a preference for areas that offer these climatic conditions. California is a top choice across the US due to its diverse climatic conditions.
Summers in California between May and September are typically warm, wet, and muggy, winters between December to March are pretty snowy and cold, and it’s cloudy at other times of the year. The temperature rarely goes lower than 17°F and never above 94°F. It’s usually between 28°F to 87°F all year round.
5. Outdoor Lifestyle
As difficult as narrowing down the states with the best outdoor lifestyle, California is particularly desirable for this purpose. With its coastline, mountain range, parks, valleys, and many other great spots, the state has the perfect terrain for all outdoor adventures. So if you can’t find a fun spot in California, that’s on you.
California ranks high among states with outdoor gateways. You can go surfing, biking, trail running, hiking, skiing, etc. No matter where you are in the state, you can easily get caught up with the outdoor lifestyle.
6. Diversity
With 39% whites, 39% Latinos, 15% Asian-American, 5% blacks, 4% multi-racial, and less than 1% native Americans, no ethnic group or race constitutes the majority in California. Racial diversity is obvious and unavoidable. But when you consider variables like religious, socio-economic, cultural, and household diversity, you’ll realize California is the most diverse state in the US.
As much as this comes with its challenges, it has been managed to the barest minimum, such that the whole populace lives in harmony with one another. Furthermore, the government intentionally bridges the gap between these diverse races and ethnic groups.
7. Attitude to Climate Change
As real as climate change is, states’ and governments’ attitudes differ. While some embrace it and take viable steps towards mitigating its risk, others show less interest. The good thing is that California is one of the states at the front line of climatic changes due to how much risk and exposure it has endured over the years.
Through legislation, the Golden State is among the very few that have accelerated its actions and commitment to reducing the harsh effect of climate change.
8. Cost of Living
The high cost of living is another factor that differentiates the Golden State from other states. While 28 of 51 states (including Washington DC) are below the cost of living index (100) in the US, California is one of the remaining 23 states above the living cost index. It’s even a third of the most expensive states to live in.
Buying a home here is unrealistic for most people, and even rent is expensive. Other living expenses, like feeding, healthcare, utilities, etc., are also expensive. As a single person, you’ll need a yearly income of $46,636 to live comfortably in the Golden State. And as a family of four, you’ll need about $114,715 per year to be okay.
In Conclusion
California’s uniqueness is the foundation of how it differs from other states in the US. If you plan to move here, you may have to consider these differences and see if they fit with what you want.
