It’s not the difference between $24K and $200K. If you are “senior” developer at an enterprise CRUD company making $160K, do the leetcode grind and probably be

It’s not the difference between $24K and $200K. If you are “senior” developer at an enterprise CRUD company making $160K, do the leetcode grind and probably be down leveled to a mid level developer making $250K-$275K living in a high cost of living area , it gets more nuanced. If you are single and living in an apartment, the difference in rent will still make it worth it. But if you are trying to duplicate the big house, in the good school system with 2.1 kids and a stay at home spouse, the numbers change where it’s not worth it.