on $100k a year, leaving New York

change
San Francisco, CA cityscape

swapping out of new york

San Francisco

ca · metro 4.6M

photo: Andrew Whitmore / unsplash

a dispatch from

san francisco

CA

37.77°N

122.42°W

San Francisco is hills, fog, Mission burritos the size of forearms, and pastel Victorians stacked like dominoes. Karl the Fog has his own Instagram, the cable cars are still mechanically pulled by cables running under the street, and the Pacific shows up at the end of every west-bound avenue. The food is wildly good, the views are theatrical, and yes, you'll get cardio just walking to the corner store.

metro4.6M

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01 · the verdict

the verdict

$302

lighter monthly cost than New York

San Francisco gives you room New York doesn't. Same gross salary, lower monthly cost of living.
landable, recorded on the san francisco entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$3,146/mo

5% cheaper than New York(vs $3,329/mo)

02state income tax

9.3%

$119/mo less in state tax than New York

vs 10.73% in New York

03after rent

$4,412/mo

$302 more than New York

gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.

04a house here

$1239k

68% more expensive than New York

vs $739k in New York

05metro size

4.6M

vs 19.5M in New York

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

312

pleasant days a year, in san francisco.

New York keeps to 171 pleasant days a year.

Lighter on events: New York packs 15.1× more into a month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

83/100

6% higher than New York

vs 78/100 in New York

Closest outdoor draw: Golden Gate National Recreation Area, 1.5 mi.

·walk score®

99/100

1% lower than New York

vs 100/100 in New York

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

111

48% fewer than New York

vs 215 nonstops in New York

04 · see also

if san francisco appeals, also worth a look:

see also

san diego

$256/mo cheaper

turn the page

see also

honolulu

$162/mo cheaper

turn the page

see also

los angeles

$247/mo cheaper

turn the page

compare san francisco with:

San DiegoHonoluluLos Angeles