Kept

City vs city

Los Angeles vs San Jose

$100,000 in Los Angeles buys a lifestyle closer to $115,000 in San Jose, because San Jose's cost-of-living index is 172 versus 149.

Los Angeles

Large, spread-out, and car-dependent. Housing and insurance push costs well above the US average.

COL index
149
Typical 1-bed
$2,550/mo
Comfortable salary
$127,000
$100k take-home
$73,957
Full Los Angeles guide

San Jose

The heart of Silicon Valley. Home prices are among the highest in the country.

COL index
172
Typical 1-bed
$2,900/mo
Comfortable salary
$146,000
$100k take-home
$73,957
Full San Jose guide

More comparisons: vs New York Cityvs San Franciscovs San Josevs Oaklandvs San Diegovs Irvine