Even with $100k in SF, it can be tough to save with a family. Let's do some math. Taxes are about 25%, so you're down to $75k right off the bat. Median rent in SF is $3880, so that's $46560 a year on rent. We're down to $28k. Last year I spent $11k on student loans, between me and my wife, and we're down to $17k. $1700 on electricity and internet: $15k. Car payment and gas was $3k, down to $12k. We're left with $1000 a month for food, clothing, and everything else in one of the most expensive cities in the US, a city where a hamburger can easily cost $20. That doesn't go very far at all. Add in the medical debt I have, and I was pretty much broke at the end of each month.