How much would you need to make in the Bay Area to live comfortably?

[Imported]

Where in the Bay Area? Rent varies so much just where in the area you are and what amenities you're looking for. My requirements were in-unit washer/dryer and allowed dogs which moves costs up in my area (Palo Alto). Luckily my fiancee's company offers a housing subsidy for proximity to work.

 

[stlc8tr]

As for living in the Bay area...here's a $1550/month shoebox in a central location, looks like nearby parking costs around $250/month in a garage, add $200/month for groceries and another $200 for eating out, $100 for cell/cable/internet, $200 for gas and car insurance, and $200 for incidentals and we're at a little over $32k yearly. I'll bump that up a bit to account for taxes and provide more of a buffer, and say that I, personally, could live "comfortably" in the Bay area for $50k a year.

That's pretty expensive for a low-key lifestyle, but it's doable.

Living on $50K is doable but that's not "comfortably".

$200/month for eating out? That's like 1 or 1-1/2 meals.

 

[jagec]

Living on $50K is doable but that's not "comfortably".

$200/month for eating out? That's like 1 or 1-1/2 meals.

Comfort is subjective.

If you can eat at the Chez Panisse cafe for $30, you can surely find cheaper and still good food elsewhere. You can get amazing Mexican in the Bay area for under $10. Not all dinners out require a $100 bottle of wine on the side, particularly if you're single.

 

[jpiniero]

I'd say 120k, and that's for a single person. You'd need a sizable emergency fund considering how expensive it is there if you got unemployed for any period of time.

Have to figure the majority of the people - even the ones making decent money - are cash poor and won't be retiring at all unless they make a nice chunk off their real estate.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Some cities aren't worth living in no matter what your income. San Fran., Boston and, D.C. top my list. There's plenty of cities at the opposite side of the economic spectrum that I'd never live in either. Tulsa, Lubbock and, Joplin spring to mind. I've traveled around and lived in much of the U.S. I've learned that earning a bigger paycheck isn't worth living in many places. Fortunately, it's a big country.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

bay area housing is ridiculous expensive right now. according to this you need to make $142,000 if you want any hope of owning a house in sf which is significantly more than anywhere else:

http://www.hsh.com/finance/mortgage/salary-home-buying-25-cities.html

just wait for the next real estate crash before moving here

 

[Anonemous]

bay area housing is ridiculous expensive right now. according to this you need to make $142,000 if you want any hope of owning a house in sf which is significantly more than anywhere else:

http://www.hsh.com/finance/mortgage/salary-home-buying-25-cities.html

just wait for the next real estate crash before moving here

/or the next big One... :|

 

[PricklyPete]

/or the next big One... :|

I have a friend in that area who is literally waiting on that. He was outbid on every home he tried to purchase and has just given up.

 

[rednas]

if mexican gardners can live there, anyone can.

4 to a room. If you wanna live under those conditions then it can be really cheap.

 

[rednas]

If you wanna live on the peninsula you have to make over 100k.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I lived in Chicago for several years. I would be fine. But I'm also not stupid enough to go back there.

Also, I know that it is comparatively worse in Michigan. I always enjoyed watching the weather maps, and seeing all that lake effect shit getting dumped on you bastards across the lake in Grand Rapids. HahahHAHAHA!

I believe you used the word "worse" when in fact you meant to use the word "better."

They get more snow = more better!