Even if you hire an accountant, it's what, $1000? This reminds me of the argument (always given by people in HCoL areas) that it's not bad to earn less in LCoL

Even if you hire an accountant, it's what, $1000? This reminds me of the argument (always given by people in HCoL areas) that it's not bad to earn less in LCoL areas because you might get paid 50% less, but also rent is 50% less. Forgetting that most other expenses are the same, and even if all living expenses were 50% less, that's only equal if 100% of your income goes towards expenses. Salaries in tech in the US are so far off the rest of the world that a few more expenses really don't matter.