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Comment by asveikau

5 days ago

Back when I was there, part of my calculus was that cost of living in Seattle was cheaper than the bay. It was about 35% cheaper back then, according to regional CPI data I looked at at the time. Not sure what the difference is today. I believe housing is still substantially cheaper.

I think a few years after I left when more Big Tech opened offices in Seattle, competing companies started paying Bay Area salaries for Seattle living, removing this argument. I haven't watched this closely in recent years.

But fwiw, I was able to save and invest a lot in my Seattle days, despite a salary that was lower than in the bay.

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asveikau

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SpaceNoodled  4 days ago

Seattle cost of living is still significantly cheaper than the Bay Area. A lower salary goes even farther given the lack of state income tax, too.

  • AdrianB1  4 days ago

    But in a world where Amazon prices are the same, car and gas are the same, cost of living is just rent?

    • eloisant  4 days ago

      Housing makes a huge difference, but there is also the cost of groceries, dining out, etc.

      Basically the housing price difference can mean buying a nice house close to your job vs renting a room in a share-apartment.

      Best of both worlds is to save in a high-cost area then move to a cheaper area.