I think it takes lots of compromises and some luck to get there. Housing is another costly thing you need to factor - depending on your current and future job p

I think it takes lots of compromises and some luck to get there. Housing is another costly thing you need to factor - depending on your current and future job prospects that may be a significant source of expenditure. Buying also limits your job choices unless you want to live separately / travel. (In our case we bought a decent 2800sq.ft. house where we could afford it but the house was older and so we have had significant expenses maintaining it (roof, hvac, other stuff). Renting is very expensive in this city - we pay less mortgage than renting a smaller town home in a nice area where the public schools are decent. Two working people == two cars in most places where public transportation is unavailable or very inconvenient. There's insurance, taxes and maintenance. Health insurance - I probably don't need to say much but it's insanely expensive for most people. I guess for a couple without kids and the right jobs at right places some things are simplified. You could rent a 1BR without worrying about the school districts, have decent health insurance for two, use public transportation and keep your entertainment needs limited. That might get you to a semi comfy retirement at not very old age but it feels like anything else is just going to be a constant hustle.