9. San Diego

A couple hours south, San Diego's average unadjusted annual IT salary is $93,011, but a higher cost of living pushes down the adjusted salary to $76,641. And security specialists haul in an average annual unadjusted salary of $119,300.

The average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment, $2,096, is about a third lower than that of Los Angeles, according to the website Rent Jungle.