City vs city
Washington, DC vs San Diego
$100,000 in Washington, DC buys a lifestyle closer to $96,000 in San Diego, because San Diego's cost-of-living index is 146 versus 152.
Washington, DC
Federal and contractor pay is high. DC’s own income tax is steep at the top.
- COL index
- 152
- Typical 1-bed
- $2,500/mo
- Comfortable salary
- $129,000
- $100k take-home
- $73,649
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
More comparisons: vs New York Cityvs San Franciscovs San Josevs Oaklandvs Los Angelesvs San Diego