As of a few months ago, the most Google would cut your salary if you transfered anywhere in the US was 15%.

I doubt any major companies are doing 40% cuts. It wouldn't make any sense.

At $500k in The Bay - you should be saving a substantial portion of your income (especially if you're counting principal).

Anyone considering a 40% paycut even to go to Montgomery Alabama would need to question their financial decisions.

Sure, you might save 50% on your coffees and avocado toasts that's not going to make up losing $200k in income...

The biggest reason for the cut is almost anywhere else in the US you're going to save a minimum of 4% on state income tax alone. So the max realistically is closer to 11%...

A $55k cut - yeah, you might save close to that on property tax, mortgage interest, federal income tax, and your avocado toasts...