Here are my answers to this. I am basing this on having grown up in California and still knowing a couple of corporate pilots there.
1 = The size of the jet will determine the pay. Are we talking small, medium, or large ? I.E. Citation II, Citation X, or Gulfstream IV. That can change the pay range by over $50,000. What city ? Is it a high cost of living city like the Los Angeles basin and San Francisco or is it Stockton, Bakersfield or somewhere else inland where the cost of living is lower ? This can change the pay by upwards of $20,000 for the same equipment. As to what is good pay that tends to be subjective. For you to buy a decent house in a middle class neighborhood in the expensive cities you would want no less than $120,000 per year for the inland cities you might be okay with as little as $90,000 per year. As an example I was in the running for a Citation III job in Stockton during the summer of 2002 and the offer was in the vicinity of $90,000 per year. I was offered a job as a Citation X First Officer in the same city for $60,000 per year. Somebody with time on type stole the Citation III job out from under me
2. California State income taxes alone are around 7% plus Federal income taxes in the 31 to 36 % range. Granted with mortgage interest and other deductions that can be reduced but it does take a healthy bite out of the paycheck.
3. California has become extremely expensive. To buy an average home in San Jose will now be no less than $500,000. Long Beach is around the same, maybe you could find a deal for $400,000. That has become the single biggest expense. Otherwise I would agree that it is less expensive than London for normal daily items, especially petrol.
4. Check the Health Benefit package that they are offering. That can make a big difference in the U.S. Some plans have you paying as little as $50 per month plus co-pay per visit of around $10-15 or you can go as high as $400 per month with $25 co-pays. Dental/Optical coverage is necessary as well as medical.
5. Check out Yahoo's real estate section for average home prices for the city this job is in to get an idea what it will cost you to buy a place.
The right job in California can be really good as it is a wonderful place to live.
Typhoonpilot