MR depends on the house. Average is $200 higher, you can’t just count the high ones.
A/C bill? That is ubsurd. I had that debate with a friend who lives in LCR this past weekend. We used the same therm at each house – it was 1 degree warmer in SEH.
You’re right – they can go ahead and pay extra for the ‘value’ – to each his own. I’ll just retire a few years earlier than they will – and my kids will get in to the same universities as theirs.