City vs city
Washington, DC vs San Francisco
$100,000 in Washington, DC buys a lifestyle closer to $117,000 in San Francisco, because San Francisco's cost-of-living index is 178 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 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
More comparisons: vs New York Cityvs San Franciscovs San Josevs Oaklandvs Los Angelesvs San Diego