People commenting on this topic need to understand the concept of Purchasing Power Parity [1]. A common example from The Economist is the Big Mac Index that com

People commenting on this topic need to understand the concept of Purchasing Power Parity [1]. A common example from The Economist is the Big Mac Index that compares the cost of a Big Mac in different economies, converted to USD. One way of comparing your own purchasing power is to take a basket of goods and services that you use, including rent, power, local taxes (as an indication of local government services) and convert that to how long you have to work to earn that money, net of federal taxes. People earn a lot of raw money in SV/FAANG but the cost of living is very high and the lifestyle of SV and surrounds may not be what you enjoy.