San Francisco isn't the only place in the US that makes software, you know. Seattle is a great place to live, has better salaries than SF considering cost of living, and has a healthy startup culture.
You forgot to mention the dreaded rain 6 months of the year. Cold, wet, miserable.
It's miserable here. Six months of hellish rain and steel grey skies. Don't let anyone fool you. Never move here. Worst mistake of my life.
Another difference: WA state has no state income tax.