California families face nearly $175 price tag for basic school supply kits
A recent analysis shows the average back-to-school bundle of 21 items now costs $173.45, up 7.7% from a year ago, tightening already strained household budgets in California.
An analysis by Groundwork Collaborative and The Century Foundation found that a standard set of 21 school supplies now averages $173.45, reflecting a 7.7% rise over the previous year. Individual items such as notebooks, paper, index cards and lunch boxes have surged by 20% to 27%, while markers and glue sticks are about 8% more expensive. Families in California, already coping with high rents and utility bills, are feeling the squeeze, as illustrated by San Diego resident Mark Davis, who supports five children.
Davis attended a back-to-school assistance event in Encanto, coordinated by state Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson, to help families locate resources. The county also launched a Safety Net Bridge program to distribute groceries in Chula Vista, addressing anticipated losses of CalFresh benefits for over 93,000 residents. Additional food distributions and health-care funding are planned for the fall as schools across Southern California, including LAUSD and one outlet Unified, prepare to reopen.
Why it matters
Rising school-supply costs add financial pressure to families already struggling with housing and food expenses.
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