Sorry to jump in but this smacks of the “but it’s different in (fill-in the blank..in this case Boston) here” argument permeated by the permabulls. BTW, I havent checked lately but distinctly remember SD having one of the most highly educated populaces in the USA. We may be underpaid but we sure aren’t stupid. We are willing to make less to live in a better place. It’s sounds like you are resigned to this fact as well with a return planned in a couple years.
BTW, I have two master degrees and a wife that stays home with my kids also.