what salary is needed for a decent life?

Even though you narrowed down the area(which does make it easier), a place in Chico or Paradise Valley will cost a lot less than a place in San Diego. before answering a question like that,you have to take into consideration the cost of living in that particular area.

eww, that is a hard one. Depends what you consider "decent" I do not know where you live right now, bt the cost of living in CA is high in the cities and lower in the offbeat subs. I had a friend with their family that lived their for a yr and lived of of 32 a yr, very hard for them though. Here in Texas things are kinda expen. too, but not as bad as other places. It is kinda tight with what we make, but we are happy and living in a apartment right now (we had a house for 2 yrs, but due to medical issues had to downsize). You may want to check out rent.com I think that they give you a avg cost of living.

To live in California and have money left over after bills; In an apartment $30,000 minimum. In a house $50,000 minimum. Good luck.