That shows how much states vary. I don't remember if i had to have my birth certificate (which I should since I did this in January but oh well) but I did for my passport a couple of years ago. It cost me $5 and arrived in less than a week. I think my license cost $25 whether I did a renewal of the old kind or the new one (which I got because why not). The driver's license came in about a week and they gave me a paper one to use in the interim.

I'm sorry CA is so expensive. I'd have trouble living there while here it's not as bad even on a lower income. Of course there are definitely areas that it's a lot harder here like getting to stores, doctors, therapists, etc.