BG, show me data where you see 45% lower pay scale compare to SF. Instead of making up numbers, show me based on real data. You can start here: http://salary.com/.
As for your claim about us young people not making enough to leave home. It’s all hearsay and BS. I’m in that category you’re referring to and have many friends who are in that category. We would like to say that your statement is BS and unfounded. I’m not even the most well off person in my circle. Some of my friends are now optometrist and owning their own practice, doctors working at hospital, sr. engineering managers, CTO of startups, Engineering directors, etc. I can go on, but you get my point.