Kept

City vs city

Philadelphia vs San Francisco

$100,000 in Philadelphia buys a lifestyle closer to $162,000 in San Francisco, because San Francisco's cost-of-living index is 178 versus 110.

Philadelphia

The wage tax is the paycheck surprise. Housing is cheap for a city this large.

COL index
110
Typical 1-bed
$1,650/mo
Comfortable salary
$94,000
$100k take-home
$72,360
Full Philadelphia guide

San Francisco

Tech wages are high, but housing absorbs a large share of even six-figure take-home pay.

COL index
178
Typical 1-bed
$3,300/mo
Comfortable salary
$151,000
$100k take-home
$73,957
Full San Francisco guide

More comparisons: vs New York Cityvs San Franciscovs San Josevs Oaklandvs Los Angelesvs San Diego