Kept

City vs city

San Francisco vs Irvine

$100,000 in San Francisco buys a lifestyle closer to $87,000 in Irvine, because Irvine's cost-of-living index is 154 versus 178.

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

Irvine

Master-planned Orange County city with strong schools and correspondingly high housing costs.

COL index
154
Typical 1-bed
$2,700/mo
Comfortable salary
$131,000
$100k take-home
$73,957
Full Irvine guide

More comparisons: vs New York Cityvs San Josevs Oaklandvs Los Angelesvs San Diegovs Irvine