RN hourly rate and cost of living?

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  1. This is a discussion on RN hourly rate and cost of living? in California Nursing, part of United States Nursing ... I'm currently a nursing student in Missouri and want to move to California when I'm finished...

    by Oct 1, '05
    I'm currently a nursing student in Missouri and want to move to California when I'm finished (specifically San Diego). I have a few years to go, but I'd like to have an idea of what to expect. About how much is the cost of living to live decently, but cheaply (including rent, utilities, groceries, gas, car insurance)? Also, what is the going hourly rate for RN's fresh out of school? Anything else I need to know? Thanks.
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    by jab3da Oct 1, '05 11:03 am
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  3. 16 Comments so far...

  4. Oct 3, '05 by
    I grew up in Orange County and the majority of my family still lives there. My sister is an RN and makes about $30 per hour. She just bought her 2nd house so that her kids could attend a school where English is more widely spoken and she paid almost $600,000. It is about 40 years old and in a safe, decent neighborhood, but nothing special. I couldn't go back. Too many places where one can live REALLY well making the same wages. Groceries are definately more expensive!
  5. Oct 3, '05 by
    everything is WAY more expensive here! for a decent 2 bedroom apt. youre looking at anywhere from 1200 to 2000 a month. gas is about 3.00 a gallon. milk here is about 2.50. i pay about 60.00 a month for liability insurance on my car. and its an 86 civic. i am currently looking to leave here. you could definitely make the same money another place and have a much lower cost of living.
  6. Oct 4, '05 by
    Quote from future_nicu_nurse
    everything is WAY more expensive here! for a decent 2 bedroom apt. youre looking at anywhere from 1200 to 2000 a month. gas is about 3.00 a gallon. milk here is about 2.50. i pay about 60.00 a month for liability insurance on my car. and its an 86 civic. i am currently looking to leave here. you could definitely make the same money another place and have a much lower cost of living.
    Hey nicu nurse, where else do you suggest to live to get similar pay?
    I'm looking to bank in a bit of money from the states before returning home
    to live too!

    Private msg me!
  7. Oct 10, '05 by
    Do not look at only the pay. If your rent and living expenses are much higher, then you will actually have less left over at the end of the year.
    This needs to be taken into account by every nurse considering salary........and where to go.

    If salaries are that much higher, it means that the expenses are also higher, and in turn you will be paying more in taxes as well, because of the higher income. Something else to consider.
  8. Guide
    Oct 10, '05 by
    Its expensive to live in California period.
    Thirdwatch likes this.
  9. Oct 11, '05 by
    I live in San Diego and I agree, it's expensive but I have lived here my whole life so have nothing to compare it too. Gas is around $3 a gallon, average home is $500,000 for nothing special with a teeny yard. Rent is expensive, I'd be surprised if you could find anything under $1000 a month for even a small 1 bdm apt. And that's inland - beach areas, forget it!!

    I am a new grad so I know salaries around about $27/hr to start as an RN. There is a night differential which varies from hospital to hospital and I know at least one hospital has a weekend differential.

    IMO, salaries are not in line with cost of living here. Cost of living is comparable to Los Angeles, Bay Area/SF, Orange County and yet, those areas pay more per hour.

    Melissa


    Quote from jab3da
    I'm currently a nursing student in Missouri and want to move to California when I'm finished (specifically San Diego). I have a few years to go, but I'd like to have an idea of what to expect. About how much is the cost of living to live decently, but cheaply (including rent, utilities, groceries, gas, car insurance)? Also, what is the going hourly rate for RN's fresh out of school? Anything else I need to know? Thanks.
  10. Oct 11, '05 by
    i live in sacramento, california... hourly rate for new grad is between 30-34 depending on which hospital you work.... i'll be working nights so i will be making 35.60... houses are expensive but you can get a small home 3 bdr over 10 years old for about 350+.... rent is okay i guess.. my neighbors are renting their house for $1200 and it is clean and new....
  11. Oct 12, '05 by
    I'm a recent transplant from the midwest to San Francisco. I make $40.49/hr without shift diff and my apt is $1500/month. I live right next to the ocean and even though the cost of living is significantly higher here, I wouldn't trade it for the world! CA has great weather, great recreational opportunities, and great patient ratios.
    RosesRN likes this.
  12. Oct 14, '05 by
    San Diego has better weather but SF has better pay. Cost of living is about the same for both places. I moved to CA from Texas because of pay and have not regretted it.