Kept

City vs city

New York City vs San Diego

$100,000 in New York City buys a lifestyle closer to $87,000 in San Diego, because San Diego's cost-of-living index is 146 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

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

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