Devin Larsen, a full-time student at UC Santa Barbara, also works at the Urban Flea Market on State Street, but finds it difficult to enjoy the perks of living in one of California’s most sought-after locations.
“I make $18 an hour at Urban Flea Market, and I pay about $1,350 in rent each month, plus utilities,” said Larsen. While this is above California’s minimum wage of $16 per hour, it’s still a struggle to make ends meet.
Larsen was surprised by the outcome of the recent vote on a ballot measure that would have raised the state’s minimum wage to $18 an hour by 2026. “I don’t understand why voters voted the way they did this year,” he shared. “It was the first time I’ve been truly blindsided by some of the things that were voted on, especially in this state.”
Rachel Vallee, visiting from Los Angeles, agrees that the high cost of living, combined with low wages, will continue to push many people out of California. “We both make more than minimum wage, and it’s still tough. It really makes you think about who will be able to afford to stay here,” Vallee said.
Critics of the proposed minimum wage increase argue that raising wages would negatively impact taxpayers and small businesses. Bart Stevens, a resident of Folsom, pointed out that higher wages often lead to higher prices for consumers. “When wages go up, businesses usually pass those costs onto customers. Right now, prices are rising across the board, and it’s becoming harder for everyone,” Stevens explained.
Stevens noted that fast food prices have already been affected, with a meal for two at Chipotle costing over $30. “If minimum wage increases, it’s only going to contribute to these rising prices,” he added.
While the minimum wage measure was rejected, some California workers are still seeing a boost in pay. Healthcare workers, for example, are set to gradually receive raises, with wages increasing to at least $25 per hour thanks to new legislation that took effect in October.
Although the ballot measure failed, debates over California’s cost of living and wage rates continue to spark conversation about the future of the state’s economy.
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