Kept

City vs city

San Diego vs San Jose

$100,000 in San Diego buys a lifestyle closer to $118,000 in San Jose, because San Jose's cost-of-living index is 172 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 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 Irvine