So negotiate the salary to where you want to be

What's so difficult about it?

Nobody mentioned CA is the worst place for paying the state income tax? Almost 10%!

Therefore, getting a low salary may not be a bad thing at all. Anything could be worse than the high income tax rate? Yes, earthquakes.

Just kidding. SoCal is pretty good to live and raise families. It'd make you feel poorer than your neighbours and you wouldn't feel bored trying to make more money resulting in paying more tax, of course. But it would help your health as well. You can buy more gas saved from not buying winter jacket. You don't need air conditions living along the beaches in the summer and no heating cost in the winter. Just prepare couple million dollars cash for the down payment and limit the mortgage payment under your income limit bu taking advantage of the slowing market.