City vs city
San Diego vs Austin
$100,000 in San Diego buys a lifestyle closer to $82,000 in Austin, because Austin's cost-of-living index is 119 versus 146.
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
Austin
No state income tax. Rents fell from the 2022 peak but remain above most Texas metros.
- COL index
- 119
- Typical 1-bed
- $1,650/mo
- Comfortable salary
- $101,000
- $100k take-home
- $79,180
More comparisons: vs New York Cityvs San Franciscovs San Josevs Oaklandvs Los Angelesvs Irvine