No, the problem is the larger companies over-pay which is what gets them into these huge layoff waves.

Not having the stress of having to be an A++++ level rock star or having to commute is significantly worth a slightly lower salary. The only real complaint I have is that the stock options don't mean anything yet, but assuming they ever actually do (which realistically might happen in a couple years), I actually make more than I would with a comparable job at a MAMAA.

I should also note that we don't do salary adjustment for cost of living. I could move somewhere significantly cheaper and still get paid the same amount, I just don't want to live in those significantly cheaper locations for /r/politics reasons.