3 ms·

Salaries go up to match cost of living increases for the area, but your actual cost of living is locked in to a prior rate, so you profit in that way.

• chii 5y ago
  > your actual cost of living is locked in your own imputed rent, if you owned your own place is not "locked in". By living in the property, you are giving up receiving the rent that could've been generated. This means a general rental increase also affects property owners - it's just invisible and often not counted since no money changes hand.
  • garmaine 5y ago
    Which you received through your increased salary. You don’t get to double count it.
    • chii 5y ago
      but that same renter also received the same increased salary. So cost of living increases have the same effect on both a renter and a home owner.