They are probably in a one bedroom. While I grew up in a soviet 355sqft (33sq.m) box of a studio apartment, is that really what you think of as a good place to

They are probably in a one bedroom. While I grew up in a soviet 355sqft (33sq.m) box of a studio apartment, is that really what you think of as a good place to raise a family? They will need to rent something bigger and that costs even more. They talk about investing, so 401k is a likely factor. Let’s break this down assuming you are right and the make $200k now: $200k total comp Less $19.5k x2 401k Less 30% taxes $112.7 take home $9.4k per month Less 3k apartment Less $1k cars Less $300 car ins Less $500 health ins Less $300 utilities/internet/etc Leaves ~$4.3k per month before food and other expenses. They clearly do not have enough for a 2 or 3 bedroom apartment, child care, extended parental leave (or one spouse not working temporarily) or much of anything else. Remember, it’s not just housing that’s expensive in the Bay Area, but also food and many other basic services.