Kept

City vs city

San Francisco vs San Diego

$100,000 in San Francisco buys a lifestyle closer to $82,000 in San Diego, because San Diego's cost-of-living index is 146 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

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

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