> just getting by at 140k a year
Lol
Lol
Not saying it doesn't happen, but it's probably harder than if it was just suddenly getting a giant salary.
First worlders having to "just get by" with 11 thousand dollars every month. What even is this world
But to honestly answer the question, by either not living in large cities and commuting in, sharing those 3BRs, or staying home with parents. Shaving that 48k/year (post-tax) rent down to ~12k/year frees up a lot of money.
(Also if you're young, staying with your parents and saving ~100-200k in rent for a downpayment over 10 years just seems like a smart idea to me).
FAANG has a huge footprint in the town, you're going to have a hard time hiring people when you're paying less than half what they are.
I was single and not a lavish spender so I didn't feel external pressure to try all that hard beyond having a low six figures job.
There are plenty of low prestige, mismanaged small companies that will pay low six figures and overwork people.