Taxes and cost of goods vary widely across markets within the US. Not to mention that progressive scale shifts more tax burden to people living in high cost of

Taxes and cost of goods vary widely across markets within the US. Not to mention that progressive scale shifts more tax burden to people living in high cost of living (COL) locations. Think $120k in Washington or Florida with no state income tax and lower COL. you’d pay maybe 25% tax. In San Francisco, $200k comp to adjust for higher COL will push you into higher federal tax bracket plus 10-12% state income tax. Now you’re paying more than 40% in taxes. 25% vs 40% is a significant difference. Local taxes also greatly affect the cost of goods and services. 9.5% sales tax in SFBA vs 0% sales tax in Oregon. 25% vs 49.5% — two extremes, but that the reality in the US. Not to mention gasoline taxes in CA — highest in the nation, they directly affect the cost of gas that we pay as consumers.