I've done the admittedly rough cost benefit analysis and for me it doesn't work out. There's hidden edge cases in each of these and other cases. I did optimize

I've done the admittedly rough cost benefit analysis and for me it doesn't work out. There's hidden edge cases in each of these and other cases. I did optimize in other ways to make up for the inefficient choices though. I have a huge house but live in a low CoL area where it costs the same as a condo in a high CoL place. I drive a big passenger van but live in a small town where I can walk to the grocery store, gym, and library. So you can mitigate in more ways than your suggesting.