While the expensive cities we live in might be expensive on a rent basis, everything else in the USA is far cheaper compared to Europe and Canada. Food, consum

While the expensive cities we live in might be expensive on a rent basis, everything else in the USA is far cheaper compared to Europe and Canada. Food, consumer goods, gas, VAT/sales tax, etc. After a certain point the cost of rent maxes out, especially if your a single person with roommates. Also the US has lower tax rates. If you wanted to be really optimal in total profits and not move to a developing country you might work in austin, seattle or even las vegas with no state income tax and far more affordable rents. The only thing left is 2 or 3 more weeks in vacation time, which if you adjust on a $/hour basis, the SFBA still comes out ahead. It is definitely enviable, but there are companies out there that would be fine with you taking equivalent unpaid vacations or working remotely for weeks at a time.