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Not everything. Housing and maybe some personal services. Who is better able to afford to put his kids through college, go skiing every year in the Swiss Alps,

Not everything. Housing and maybe some personal services. Who is better able to afford to put his kids through college, go skiing every year in the Swiss Alps, buy a Ferrari, or retire in luxury in Florida--a guy who spent his career making $185,000 in Boise or making $450,000 in San Jose? More money is still more money, the cost of housing notwithstanding.

Domenic_S 8y ago
At a similar lifestyle level, they’re probably close. Most everything is indeed more expensive. Electricity, for example is nearly twice as expensive. I just looked up gas and Costco vs Costco is $.80/gal more. Insurance is more. Property tax rates are about the same but since the value of properties is so much higher you pay a lot more in real dollars. And since the basics are more expensive, everyone’s rates go up because they have to buy the basics too.
my_usernam3 8y ago
I don't disagree that money is still money, as I do like my high bay area salary. It makes traveling, and my universally set priced items feel like pennies on the dollar. However, I feel like you're are underestimating "some personal services". I don't have the time cook all my meals, I need to commute to get affordable housing, and I don't plan on just hanging out in the park everyday. So alas I find myself paying: $15 for a simple saled $11 roundtrip commute on caltrain $100 for nosebleed seats to a band that was barely even considered famous during their heyday These things really add up quick, and if you're not constantly careful about budgeting, you'll find yourself with less money than your counterpart in Boise.
- rb666 8y ago
  Ok, you just spent $600 of your "high bay salary". How exactly are you planning to get down to $185k? Or you know, something more normal like $70k. Americans and their ridiculous concept of what middle-class is, hilarious. You're rich, own it.
seesaw 8y ago
It costs about $3.5k/month to rent a two bed in the Bay Area, $1.2k/month per kid for the day care. Add in $1.2k for grocery, utlities, insurance, gas, car maintenance ..etc, and you are looking at around $7k a month with two kids. It would be closer to $9k with entertainment/vacation/car payments. You are right that someone with 450k gross should be able to comfortably handle this. It is different story for the majority that make 250k or less.

Domenic_S 8y ago

At a similar lifestyle level, they’re probably close. Most everything is indeed more expensive. Electricity, for example is nearly twice as expensive. I just looked up gas and Costco vs Costco is $.80/gal more. Insurance is more. Property tax rates are about the same but since the value of properties is so much higher you pay a lot more in real dollars. And since the basics are more expensive, everyone’s rates go up because they have to buy the basics too.

my_usernam3 8y ago

I don't disagree that money is still money, as I do like my high bay area salary. It makes traveling, and my universally set priced items feel like pennies on the dollar. However, I feel like you're are underestimating "some personal services". I don't have the time cook all my meals, I need to commute to get affordable housing, and I don't plan on just hanging out in the park everyday. So alas I find myself paying: $15 for a simple saled $11 roundtrip commute on caltrain $100 for nosebleed seats to a band that was barely even considered famous during their heyday These things really add up quick, and if you're not constantly careful about budgeting, you'll find yourself with less money than your counterpart in Boise.

rb666 8y ago
Ok, you just spent $600 of your "high bay salary". How exactly are you planning to get down to $185k? Or you know, something more normal like $70k. Americans and their ridiculous concept of what middle-class is, hilarious. You're rich, own it.

seesaw 8y ago

It costs about $3.5k/month to rent a two bed in the Bay Area, $1.2k/month per kid for the day care. Add in $1.2k for grocery, utlities, insurance, gas, car maintenance ..etc, and you are looking at around $7k a month with two kids. It would be closer to $9k with entertainment/vacation/car payments. You are right that someone with 450k gross should be able to comfortably handle this. It is different story for the majority that make 250k or less.