This is objectively not true [1] and has the same sort of arrogance that frustrates people who live in other areas of the state. Is the cost of living ridiculous? Absolutely, but the higher-than-average salaries at least help compensate.

Consider, for example, San Diego [2], which is considered the worst city for long term wealth accumulation in the entire USA.

1. http://www.trulia.com/home_prices/California/ 2. http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/oct/26/san-die...

Huh? CA has had real estate values vastly above the average since the 1980's. I remember seeing dumpy ranch houses in Salinas, CA for nearly a half a million in 1992. Such a house would have been $40K almost anywhere else.

San Diego county coastal isn't what I would consider in control...

It's just as bad down here in LA. Six figure incomes get eaten up pretty fast by rent/mortgage and taxes.