Kept

City vs city

New York City vs Irvine

$100,000 in New York City buys a lifestyle closer to $92,000 in Irvine, because Irvine's cost-of-living index is 154 versus 168.

New York City

The highest-density job market in the US, with NYC local income tax on top of New York State tax.

COL index
168
Typical 1-bed
$3,900/mo
Comfortable salary
$143,000
$100k take-home
$70,090
Full New York City guide

Irvine

Master-planned Orange County city with strong schools and correspondingly high housing costs.

COL index
154
Typical 1-bed
$2,700/mo
Comfortable salary
$131,000
$100k take-home
$73,957
Full Irvine guide

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