A decent salary for the Silicon Valley area? (San Jose, Fremont: affordable apartments, rental)

[Jink]

All,

What would be a decent salary for the Silicon Valley area? I'm afraid I could be earning around $80,000 a year, but the employer is asking for a hourly position, not salary. Are there affordable apartments in the area for that kind of salary? I'm 28-years-old and single if that matters. Thanks.

[sonarrat]

If you're single, it's certainly doable, but I'm not exaggerating when I say the apartment will probably be 50+ years old and in a questionable area. Even in the better parts of San Jose, apartments in your price range are barely habitable. Studios are fairly rare as well, so you don't get much of a benefit out of being single here. If you hook up with someone else who's working, then things could look a lot better.

[bmw335xi]

$80k for a single person is fine, enjoy!

[pch1013]

Originally Posted by bmw335xi

$80k for a single person is fine, enjoy!

... as long as you don't have a lot of debt.

[ccm123]

You could look for a less expensive rental in the East Bay (such as Fremont) and drive to work. 80K definitely is doable, if you watch your expenses.

[HockeyMac18]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

If you're single, it's certainly doable, but I'm not exaggerating when I say the apartment will probably be 50+ years old and in a questionable area. Even in the better parts of San Jose, apartments in your price range are barely habitable. Studios are fairly rare as well, so you don't get much of a benefit out of being single here. If you hook up with someone else who's working, then things could look a lot better.

I make less and live in a pretty great 1 BR on the peninsula (downtown San Mateo). Granted, I moved into my place a few years ago when prices were lower, but I don't think it's a stretch to be able to live comfortably on $80k in this area if one is single.

Of course, if the OP is out to save a lot of money, having roommates roommates, living in a studio apt, or looking at the east bay will save more money.

[ketch89]

Anyone telling you that 80k is not enough to live comfortably on here has no idea what they're talking about. Unless you want to live some sort of absurd, fantasy lifestyle, 80k will be great!

[gone down south]

$80k here is like $55k in Austin - you'll be comfortable, but you won't be balling.

[peninsular]

Originally Posted by gone down south

$80k here is like $55k in Austin - you'll be comfortable, but you won't be balling.

I'm curious, where's this data coming from. According to one well-know source for COL comparison, it's more like $42K in Austin, which I tend to believe.

Just one other number to put out there, 80K is just above the median household income in SF and below median household income of Marin, San Mateo or Santa Clara counties. Granted, most households have more than one person.
I may disagree with gone down south's numbers, but I agree with the bottom line - while certainly decent, 80K will not make you feel particularly well-off.

[luau]

if I read the original post correctly, he/she is communicating a DESIRE to make 80k, but the employer is trying to offer an hourly wage.

1. If it isn't salaried, is there health insurance included, because if not, that's another expense you'd factor in.
2. Do you want to live in SF? If you do and don't want to overspend your income you'll need roommates if you want to live in a decent/nice area on 80k/year. I think you would be fine living anywhere else in the Bay Area on 80k/year salaried.