Brooklyn near 3k is really going towards new apartments. I pay about that total for a few year old apartment and have a ~25 minute commute via L train. During my search I found townhouses <30 minute commute with 3br with a yard even in not so bad areas under 3k. I just wasn't as familiar with the area so I didn't feel comfortable. The housing cost is not so bad here.

Well I can live close to (but not in) Manhattan for better than that, but even so, that strengthens the case for SF-level salaries, if true!

An average 1 bedroom in Hoboken is probably closer to 2500-2800