Why is the spread 300%? Other than maybe housing costs (probably more like 2x), the BA doesn’t cost 3x as much as Southern California.
Bay Area does have one other advantage over Southern California. It’s closer to the relatively undeveloped part of Northern California, Oregon, and the Sierras if you’re into hiking, skiing, biking, etc.
Once the sprawl ends, you’re in a truly beautiful part of the world.
