Sorry but the San Jose and San Francisco areas have such astronomical costs of living and state taxes that their rankings are patently inaccurate ( even with some high wages in electronics, etc.). Most workers are priced way out of even simple old tract housing and one bedroom apartments in any relatively safe area are all over $3000 a month rent, unfurnished at that. The prices there of almost every good and service are all inflated due to the extremely high taxes and rents and utilities costs. But, some of the other ranking make sense. Rochester MN and Boulder CO and xxx?
My daughter made crap working for a major company in Seattle. She barely survived payday to payday. Living in a shoebox and going without meals occasionally got her by. Took a pay cut moved to Durham NC. Has a really nice apartment, money for food and can even afford an occasionally luxury. Yes. Her salary was higher in Seattle, but while she earns less in NC, her quality of living is higher.