BTW: Money.com lists the best salary/cost-of-living every year or so and keeps putting Raleigh NC, and recently Charlotte NC on the list. I love Raleigh, not too fond of Charlotte.
Also, I spent some time in Tucson, back in the early 90’s, near the university. Fun place, great people–there is (or was) a bagel place next to a pizza place both run by two Long Islanders, which has the best bagels and pizza in the world, so it’s pretty good.
On the con side, I couldn’t take the total lack of water. My bro loves it there though.
Ever check out the pacific northwest? I am looking at it as an escape route if the decent 3/2 homes in my neck of the woods don’t drop a good chunk below their not-quite-seven figure mark, though that is looking less and less likely every day.