I am comparing city options again using older affordability assumptions we had from 2024 and early 2025.
What I am seeing now:
- Some cities still have decent salary-to-rent balance, but the margin is thinner.
- Similar salary offers can produce very different quality of life once rent and taxes are applied.
- A lot of "popular" cities look good on social media but not great in monthly cash flow.
If you live in a city where 70k to 90k still feels sustainable, which city is it and why?
Would help to know your rough rent range and whether costs are trending up fast there.