You don't even have to make six figures to have a good life in the mid-west. My first job was in a mid-sized Michigan town. Starter homes were 150% of my annual pre-tax salary. Schools were very good. Of course the town couldn't offer what a big city could, but it had enough.

My boss was making under $200,000/yr and he was living a similar life to someone making over $1M on the coasts.