I don't think that's what a typical software engineer makes. A Level 5 SWE at Google makes that. But that is far from representative of the vast majority of SWE

I don't think that's what a typical software engineer makes. A Level 5 SWE at Google makes that. But that is far from representative of the vast majority of SWEs. More likely, you can afford a $1m mortgage on a double income of $150k which, IMO, is a lot more common. The reality is that a lot of people (single and married with kids) rent with the hopes they will be able to afford a mortgage.