How much does smoking cost in California? (2026)
$11.78
average pack in California (Jan 2026), #15 most expensive of 51. State excise $2.87 + federal $1.01.
$4,300a year for a pack a day
7.7%average yearly price rise, 2016–2026
$62,323roughly, the next 10 years at that pace
A pack a day since…
| Started | Spent (real California prices) | Same money in the S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $32,521 | $67,407 |
| 2006 | $50,876 | $187,018 |
| 1996 | $63,029 | $306,075 |
Monthly, through December 2025. S&P 500 total returns with dividends (A. Damodaran, NYU Stern). Historical illustration, not a prediction.
50+ years of pack prices in California
| 1970 | $0.40 |
| 1980 | $0.66 |
| 1990 | $1.87 |
| 2000 | $3.65 |
| 2010 | $5.37 |
| 2020 | $8.31 |
| 2026 | $11.78 |
Sources: CDC, The Tax Burden on Tobacco (1970–2019); Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (2020–2026).
All 50 states and DC · Made by a smoker, for smokers.