Cost of Living in Bay Area for family of 3?

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zpXu05

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zpXu05
Feb 19, 2020 55 Comments

I'm planning to move to US from Bangalore, India next year and I'd like to understand what's the typical cost of living in Bay Area (specifically around SJC) for a family of 3. Wife not working and a 2 year old toddler. What could be the monthly cost of living including rent, bills, insurance, car loan EMI and utilities. ##

TC in India : 60LPA
Experience : 9 yrs

Expected base in SJC 180K, bonus 15%, RSUs 85K/3 yrs

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 TOP 55 Comments
  • Don’t! Stay rich in India instead of being poor in Bay Area.
    Feb 19, 2020 8
    • Bro me again. don't fall for the sexy "US life" crap. if it's all about money, then sure. But if u r looking for a quality of life bump, it will be there but a short-lived one. Being away from parents and creating new friends here will take up the next 10 years and then u will be STUCK as kids grow up (no they won't want to back). Listen to someone who has been here 20 years.
      Feb 19, 2020
    • Axtria
      Sl91v

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      Sl91v
      What's with the money? Most people are poor in NYC or Bay. Only those working for tier 1 or having dual incomes have sufficient money, rest of us are just getting by.
      Feb 19, 2020
  • Airbnb
    bnbemp

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    bnbemp
    Since your wife is not working, I would assume she will take care of toddler and no need of day care, 180k should be sufficient if you are careful with your expenses.
    Feb 19, 2020 8
    • Daycare is somewhere around $1300 - 1800 per month
      Feb 19, 2020
    • New
      hOVu32

      New

      hOVu32
      YRMJ70, what do you consider a "low middle-class lifestyle"? You're jaded if you think that.
      Feb 19, 2020
  • Amazon
    zzzzzzzzzu

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    zzzzzzzzzu
    180k with a family of 3 is poor here. You’re going to be penny pinching here when you could have lived comfortably in India. Wife will complain too since she’ll have to be a full time maid cook and nanny
    Feb 19, 2020 0
  • PayPal
    zpXu05

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    zpXu05
    OP
    Thanks for the responses. I don't have long term plans.. so no buying houses and all.. I'd possibly come back to India in about 5 to 6 years. I'm guessing I should be able to save my bonus and RSUs every year completely and manage to also save about $1.5K to $2K from monthly pay apart from ESPP. That should be a good deal in return for a few years in the US with some good exposure.
    Feb 19, 2020 6
    • NVIDIA
      februarist

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      februarist
      I second what @ftfxj just said. I have a higher base at 220k but expenses are very similar. I live alone and pay $2600 towards rent.
      I get about 9k per month after deductions and taxes and spend more than half of it. I don’t employ any domestic help and vacuum myself.
      Feb 19, 2020
    • Dude. Pleaaase. Everyone says this.
      Feb 19, 2020
  • Amazon
    boomchaka

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    boomchaka
    Rent - 3600$ a month for a 2bed (buying similar house will be $1.2M+). A nicer place will be around 4000$
    Car - 800$ per month for one car including insurance, gas etc
    Food - 1000$ per month if you’re frugal and cook
    Misc / entertainment - 500$ per month
    Day care - 4000$ per month

    Even if you skip the day care, don’t expect to be rich here on that salary. There are folks here who make 500+
    Feb 19, 2020 6