$100k salary, packing up from San Jose

change
Washington, DC cityscape

instead of san jose

Washington

dc · metro 6.3M

a dispatch from

washington

DC

38.91°N

77.04°W

Washington DC is power dressed in seersucker. The monuments glow at night, the Smithsonian museums are all free (yes, all of them), and the cherry blossoms in April make even cynical lobbyists pause for a selfie. It's one of the most international cities in America (embassies from everywhere), with food scenes to match. The vibe shifts every four years and the architecture stays magnificent through all of it.

metro6.3M

01 · the verdict

the verdict

$1,185

less monthly outlay than San Jose

In Washington, rent stops being the headline. The cost gap shows up every month without you trying.
landable, recorded on the washington entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$2,352/mo

32% cheaper than San Jose(vs $3,470/mo)

02state income tax

8.5%

$67/mo less in state tax than San Jose

vs 9.3% in San Jose

03after rent

$5,273/mo

$1,185 more than San Jose

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

04a house here

$626k

65% cheaper than San Jose

vs $1796k in San Jose

05metro size

6.3M

vs 1.9M in San Jose

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

177

pleasant days a year, in washington.

San Jose edges ahead with 283 pleasant days.

A month here packs 2.6× the events of San Jose.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

87/100

24% higher than San Jose

vs 70/100 in San Jose

Closest outdoor draw: George Washington Memorial Parkway, 6.2 mi.

·walk score®

98/100

3% higher than San Jose

vs 95/100 in San Jose

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

160

452% more than San Jose

vs 29 nonstops in San Jose

04 · see also

in the same ballpark as washington:

compare washington with: