Kept

City vs city

San Diego vs San Francisco

$100,000 in San Diego buys a lifestyle closer to $122,000 in San Francisco, because San Francisco's cost-of-living index is 178 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
Full San Diego 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 Irvine