How much do software engineers really make in each city?

That "Quality of Life" index is lame as hell. Maybe I'm biased as a New Yorker, but I'd live here over Raleigh any day. The access & immersion in culture, food, entertainment, diversity etc. is the best part of living here and is not accounted for. Oh, and I don't need a car.

Also, NYC is so large that it's hard to put a number on "cost of living". According to this chart I pay a San Jose rent in Manhattan. Brooklyn/Queens rents are way cheaper. If you average the entire city it jacks the rate up.