Yeah I've heard California is pricey as all hell over there. $22 an hour will help, but damn, I can't see it doing much still. I have a friend who lives in LA and that's probably where prices are the highest, or close to it. Where I live is pricey, but it's not nearly as bad as what the cost of living in LA and surrounding areas is.
Here in Chicago I believe fast food workers are making near $15 an hour, maybe a little less. They might go with the minimum wage here, which is around $15hr, which would make sense.