I think the biggest problem with COL is the fact that COL is a very personal matter. Here in NYC, most college graduates (programmers or not) share an apartmen

I think the biggest problem with COL is the fact that COL is a very personal matter. Here in NYC, most college graduates (programmers or not) share an apartment with flatmates. If you're a programmer, as long as at least one person in the apartment has a non-minimum wage "office" job ($40-50k+), you can live quite comfortably and save a lot unless you decide to live in a penthouse. An average apartment in many areas of Brooklyn split among 2-3 employed people is very affordable. Even if you want to live alone it's not so bad, but my point is that before someone can decide if NYC is too expensive for them or someone else they should ask more than just their salary.