Kept

City vs city

Boston vs San Diego

$100,000 in Boston buys a lifestyle closer to $97,000 in San Diego, because San Diego's cost-of-living index is 146 versus 151.

Boston

Education, hospitals, and biotech keep wages and rents high.

COL index
151
Typical 1-bed
$2,900/mo
Comfortable salary
$128,000
$100k take-home
$74,400
Full Boston guide

San Diego

Climate premium is real. Rents rival Los Angeles without the same density of ultra-high salaries.

COL index
146
Typical 1-bed
$2,450/mo
Comfortable salary
$124,000
$100k take-home
$73,957
Full San Diego guide

More comparisons: vs New York Cityvs San Franciscovs San Josevs Oaklandvs Los Angelesvs San Diego