To compare:
• Room and Board on campus at Cal for 2019 will be $17,110 (unless you live in Bowles and then add $3790)
- Room and Board on campus at UCLA for 2019 will be $15,900
• Room and Board off campus at Cal for 2019 is estimated at $14,404 (includes food estimate)
- Room and Board on campus at UCLA for 2019 is estimated at $14,301(includes food estimate)
So ProfPlum is correct, off campus housing at both are about the same.