Kept

City vs city

Seattle vs San Diego

$100,000 in Seattle buys a lifestyle closer to $101,000 in San Diego, because San Diego's cost-of-living index is 146 versus 144.

Seattle

No state income tax, high wages, and high housing. Take-home stretches further than in California at the same salary.

COL index
144
Typical 1-bed
$2,300/mo
Comfortable salary
$122,000
$100k take-home
$79,180
Full Seattle 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 Franciscovs San Josevs Oaklandvs Los Angelesvs San Diego