NetApp, Google, Apple, PNC, UPMC, and a few others pay experienced devs over $150k. Medical device companies may, I don't have first hand knowledge (they pay UX

NetApp, Google, Apple, PNC, UPMC, and a few others pay experienced devs over $150k. Medical device companies may, I don't have first hand knowledge (they pay UX consultants the same rate as in CA). Dev jobs in IT depts of industrial firms won't pay that much, nor will web startups. But that is the same as the bay area. My personal experience (10 years in mnt view, 4 years in Pittsburgh): not even close when you compare free cash flow. I have way more now in pittsburgh for savings, vacations, etc. You have to consider total cost of living (taxes, real estate, cost of living, etc). I'd estimate even with 25% more salary in CA, you would have more spending money in PA. The big thing you give up is diversity of jobs and choice. If you like to hop around a lot, try new things, there are simply not as many good options. I'd still recommend bay area right out of school, but seriously consider Pittsburgh, Seattle, Austin, Raleigh, etc when you are at the stage you want to buy a house.