Agree. Also the return on the options should also be compared to a risk-free/conservative rate from the additional savings from the higher salary. In somewhere

Agree. Also the return on the options should also be compared to a risk-free/conservative rate from the additional savings from the higher salary. In somewhere with a high cost of living like SV increases in pay can significantly increase what you can save each year. Say you take a $100k offer and equity compared to a $120k salary offer. Now lets say on $100k you save $10k year, and if you're on $120k between tax and a bit of extra spending you save $20k. You've doubled your savings which you can put towards other investments. In this example its another $10k/year you could put into an investment property, stocks or whatever. Or just go to Vegas each year and play a game of roulette.