Cost of living adjusted salaries are what matters, and London has SV level cost of living at way lower salaries.

In Europe, Switzerland is most similar to the Bay area: high salaries, high cost of living and low taxes.

Low taxes? California has high tax right?

Not compared to Europe I suppose?

Last time I checked take home pay was lower in NY than London for someone earning around 150k before tax. Not sure if that holds true in California...

According to this calculator: https://www.thesalarycalculator.co.uk/salary.php

120k £ (equivalent of $150k at current exchange rate) becomes net 71135 £ which is 61.8%

In the state of New York: https://smartasset.com/taxes/new-york-paycheck-calculator

$150k gets you a take home that is 68% of gross. NYC imposes an additional local tax between 3 and 3.8% so in the worst case you’re still taking home more than 64% of gross.

Maybe the last time you checked $150k was a lot less in £ and therefore taxed at lower rates in the UK?

Potentially- I think I added in property taxes (about 1-2k/year in the uk) and healthcare (free on the nhs or if you’re earning 150k you’re likely getting heavily subsidised private care from your employer).

Don't know many making $150k in London, though. Maybe the Facebooks, Google's