Let's do some back of the envelope calculation: starting total compensation: 150K. If your partner works a similar job, your combined annual income is 300K. N

Let's do some back of the envelope calculation: starting total compensation: 150K. If your partner works a similar job, your combined annual income is 300K. No income tax in Washington State, so Federal + FICA taxes would be ~70K (look up any online calculator). Rent ~1800 per month or 22K per year (based on Zillow's data for 1bd/1ba in Redmond, WA). Living expenses of 2K per month or 24K per year. You are looking at 300K - (70 + 22 + 24)K, or >180K potential annual savings. Let's double the living expenses or throw in student loan repayments on top, but saving 100-125K per year is easily doable for such a couple. And in a couple of years, you have 200-250K for your downpayment.