The key insight this week
Talent in San Francisco commands the highest base salaries across any startup location.
Not very surprising, right? We're all pretty familiar with both the high salaries typical of San Francisco and the concentration of tech startups in the city.
However, what do those high salaries really give workers? After all, every living expense—from rent to food to transportation—is higher in SF as well. So where does a tech salary translate into the most relative gain?
My colleague Kevin Dowd dug deep into multiple datasets this week to answer this question, coming up with a new metric we call SCI Score. He ran the math like this:
MINUS
% San Francisco cost of living: The average percent each metro scored in three proxies for cost of living and spending power: median household income, median gross rent, and the EPI's family budget calculator.
EQUALS
SCI Score: The differential between each city's percent of San Francisco salaries and its average percent of San Francisco's cost of living.
Read how 33 metro areas stack up on our new SCI Score
Turns out tech talent gets a better deal for their dollar in many cities across the US as opposed to the Bay Area.
What would you like to know next?
We are actively exploring more analysis such as this that marries Carta proprietary data with external figures. If you've got a burning question along those lines, shoot me a reply!
New to Data Minute? Subscribe here for one venture insight per week. Forwarding encouraged!
Peter Walker
DISCLOSURE: This communication is on behalf of eShares, Inc. dba Carta, Inc. ("Carta"). This communication is for informational purposes only, and contains general information only. Carta is not, by means of this communication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice or services. This publication is not a substitute for such professional advice or services nor should it be used as a basis for any decision or action that may affect your business or interests. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your business or interests, you should consult a qualified professional advisor. This communication is not intended as a recommendation, offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Carta does not assume any liability for reliance on the information provided herein. © 2026 Carta. All rights reserved. Reproduction prohibited.
