Setting a Budget
Related Pages 
Students
Review the estimated costs provided by Caltech for Undergraduates and Graduates for tuition, room and board, etc. These estimates are for basic expenses and do not include items such as travel, hobbies, and car ownership.
Scholars
Below is a sample of monthly fixed expenses for a postdoctoral scholar at Caltech or JPL. The numbers listed here are for reference only, and will change according to market conditions.
| Single | Married With One Child | |
|---|---|---|
| Taxes | ||
|---|---|---|
| Varies by length of stay, tax residence country, and immigration status | ~25% Salary | ~25% Salary |
| Rent | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 or 2 bedroom apartment (non shared) | $1,600 - $2,800+ | $2,000 - $2,800+ |
| 1 bedroom in a shared apartment/house | $800 - $1,600+ |
| Transportation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Public transportation | $60 - $180+ | $180+ |
| Car insurance, Caltech parking, gas | $200 - $400+ | $200 - $500+ |
| Food | ||
|---|---|---|
| Groceries, basic supplies | $500 - $800+ | $800 - $1,600+ |
| Utilities | ||
|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, gas, trash | $80 - $180+ | $100 - $500+ |
| Insurance | ||
|---|---|---|
| Health, Dental (HMO), Repatriation | $200+ | $800+ |
| Communication | ||
|---|---|---|
| Internet, cable, cell phone | $180+ | $280+ |
| Miscellaneous and leisure | ||
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants, entertainment, clothes | $100 to $400+ | $200 to $600+ |
*As of December 2020
General Resources for Budgeting, Finance, and Cost of Living in the United States
For more information about the Social Security Number (SSN)
For more information about Taxes
DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website is for general information only. Caltech does not endorse or recommend any of the organizations listed.