Kept

City vs city

Miami vs San Diego

$100,000 in Miami buys a lifestyle closer to $106,000 in San Diego, because San Diego's cost-of-living index is 146 versus 138.

Miami

No state income tax, but insurance, condos, and rents have jumped.

COL index
138
Typical 1-bed
$2,500/mo
Comfortable salary
$117,000
$100k take-home
$79,180
Full Miami 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