Arksansas - Where it's a crime to not pay rent.

[dfrecore]

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This is common sense, but a person making $60k in California would be better off than someone making $16k in Arkansas. I did a comparison on a website that breaks down cost of living. Someone making $3500 per month in Bentonville would need to make over $4800 in Sacramento to maintain the same standard of living. That's a big difference, but not as extreme as you make it seem.

$75 per week takes away $300 per month for someone with a gross income of $1333.

People make that mistake because they always compare to Silicon Valley, which is on an entire other planet housing cost-wise even compared to the rest of California. I live in San Diego, and I could get a job in Silicon Valley making 30% more, and still come out behind.

Right there with you davewill.  We're in SD as well, and while it can be expensive, our housing costs don't compare in any way to the Silicon Valley.  If you live in Sacramento/the central valley or San Diego or Inland Empire, that's completely different than LA/SF.  And if you live outside of those areas - say Redding - your housing is going to be WAY less.  There are tons of places in CA where it's not expensive - but lots more people live where it's more expensive so that's what's heard about more.