> My concern would be whether creating that software pays enough to keep up with skyrocketing costs of living.

You might need to relocate to a place with much lower costs of living.

This was the idea behind remote working discussed during COVID-19 times:

- the company can pay less money because the employee is living at a much cheaper place than the expensive city where the company is located

- on the other hand, even with a smaller salary, the employee has more money at the end of the month because of the smaller costs of living

So both sides win.