Kept

City vs city

Dallas vs San Diego

$100,000 in Dallas buys a lifestyle closer to $140,000 in San Diego, because San Diego's cost-of-living index is 146 versus 104.

Dallas

Broad job market, no state income tax, and housing that is still cheaper than the coasts.

COL index
104
Typical 1-bed
$1,500/mo
Comfortable salary
$88,000
$100k take-home
$79,180
Full Dallas 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