1) 80k/3 is 26.7k, 1.2k*12 = 14.4k. So, yeah, you can save for a downpayment by merely putting away your "comfortable housing spend" income, even before you mov

1) 80k/3 is 26.7k, 1.2k*12 = 14.4k. So, yeah, you can save for a downpayment by merely putting away your "comfortable housing spend" income, even before you move to a 1br apartment (1.2k median rent is for all units, even then I can only find 2019 numbers <1.1k), or save from the other parts of income. 2) Median house (not a Bay Area house) in 2019 was like 320k. Crazy house valuations are only from the last 1.5-2 years and wouldn't have affected generational norms (and we all know why the suddenly exploded). Even then, the median house is 410k, so all you needed/need you need to save is 65-80k in the /worst/ case. 3) Most people buying houses are/should be dual income, given the size of the median house. And given that you're competing against double income people (don't like it? you'd have to roll back the drive for emancipation/equality :)). If you double the income above you can save for a downpayment in like 3 years. I know families where neither partner probably makes 80k buying houses in boring cities e.g. in Texas - and not a starter house either... How? Dual income + non-coastal prices. And yeah, there are tons of jobs in the area.