Cost of living · Silicon Valley · 2026 Edition

Cost of Living in Silicon Valley:
Where Does Your Paycheck Go?
Let's Find Out.

An interactive breakdown of where Silicon Valley incomes actually go — and what changes when you solve the one variable that matters most.

$2,880/momedian 1BR rent

13.3% CA topstate tax

40%renters burdened

Cost of living in Silicon Valley: the numbers

In Silicon Valley, the median one-bedroom rent is $2,880 per month, state tax is 13.3% CA top, and 40% of renters are cost-burdened. A typical single tech salary here is around $180,000. This interactive calculator breaks down where that paycheck goes — taxes, 401(k), housing (rent or own), childcare, and everyday living expenses — and shows what's left over each month. It also compares Silicon Valley with 12 other cities, from San Francisco to Tokyo. See the full multi-city calculator.

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Your Housing Situation

after taxes · 401(k) · housing · all living expenses

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