Is $100,000 usd a good salary in California?

Is $100,000 a good salary in California? Well, that's a loaded question, isn't it? I mean, $100,000 sounds like a LOT, right? And honestly, in some parts of California, it is. Like, if you're living in, say, Fresno, or maybe even Sacramento, you could probably live pretty comfortably. I'm thinking, maybe even buy a decent house, not some tiny shoebox, you know? And even save a little – maybe even go on a nice vacation once in a while! Wouldn't that be nice?

But then... then you think about the other California. The California of dreams… or nightmares, depending on your bank account. I’m talking about Los Angeles, San Francisco… places where rent for a one-bedroom apartment can cost more than my car payment! Seriously! A friend of mine lives in a tiny studio in LA and pays close to $3,000 a month! Can you even imagine? On $100,000? You'd be scraping by, constantly worrying about money. Forget saving, you'd be lucky to afford avocado toast! (Okay, maybe a little dramatic, but you get my point).

So, $100,000 can feel vastly different depending on where in California you are. It's like comparing apples and, well, super expensive, organic, locally-sourced, artisanal oranges. They're both fruit, but… yeah, totally different. I read somewhere that the cost of living in San Francisco is something like 80% higher than the national average – it's crazy! So, while six figures sounds impressive, in some parts of the Golden State, it just doesn’t go as far. You gotta factor in the ridiculous housing costs, the taxes, everything. It’s a real eye-opener.