I don't think many people will claim 150k is market price for a staff engineering position in NYC. But it is more than enough to live in Manhattan. Full stop.

I don't think many people will claim 150k is market price for a staff engineering position in NYC. But it is more than enough to live in Manhattan. Full stop. If MoMA or another non-profit offers you a salary than fails to support your lavish lifestyle: don't accept it. Hope that helps.