You need to factor in different lifestyles as well. In more rural areas, you spend significantly more time in your home. Partly because it's nicer, partly bec

You need to factor in different lifestyles as well. In more rural areas, you spend significantly more time in your home. Partly because it's nicer, partly because they're fewer choices. In a place like Manhattan, it's not uncommon for your home (esp. if it's small) to be little more than a place you sleep & bathe. (That's not to say one is better than the other -- each to their own.)