@deb922, you’re right, but it does make it tougher when housing prices greatly outstrip wages. Our neighbor had a job offer in SV for a very high position. He and his spouse and their kids went to investigate and decide whether or not to accept it. They noted the higher salary, cost of comparable houses and schools for their Ds, and other expenses. Ultimately, in spite of the huge bump in salary, they chose NOT to accept that job and decided to remain in HI because the higher salary on paper would not compensate for all the increased expenses associated with living in SV. It was an eye-opener for them!