Kept

City vs city

Philadelphia vs San Jose

$100,000 in Philadelphia buys a lifestyle closer to $156,000 in San Jose, because San Jose's cost-of-living index is 172 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 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 Los Angelesvs San Diego