6. Charlotte, N.C.

Cost of living as a percentage of salary: 49.7%

About a three-hour drive southwest from Raleigh, Charlotte is home to two of the nation's largest banks: Wells Fargo and Bank of America. They and three other firms account for over 29 percent of 6,365 open tech jobs in the region, according to Paysa's estimates.

Charlotte's annual cost of living is slightly less than that of Raleigh - $43,437. But that's the third-lowest in the U.S., behind Indianapolis and Pittsburgh.