The guy living in the $1k apartment land has a better financial life. (Also, good luck finding a place for $2,400 in SF right now that matches what you can get for $1k in most other parts of the country.)
In fact, pretty much everything you'll spend money on as a normal adult is more expensive here. I actually can't think of anything that wouldn't be more expensive, unless it's something that's already an obscene luxury good, like a Ferrari.
Your only argument here seems to be that you can make a calculated bet to pay off student loans, because 78% of $130k ($101k) is larger than 88% of 100k ($88k). Maybe, but good luck with that: I think you'll find that the cost of living easily consumes the difference.
$2000 student loan payment + $1000 rent, at $70,000 salary would be tough.
$2000 student loan payment + $2500 rent, at $140,000 salary is do-able.
I agree about the smaller "cost of living" items though.