Seriously, tech has got to have some of the most inflated egos on the planet. Do people in this thread really think there aren't plenty of other people making 150-200+ outside of the major tech hubs? Do they really think they are going to be Mr. Monopoly Man because they have a 150k remote job in Des Moines?

The OP's scenario is over the top, but if you had a 150k USD remote job in my hometown you could buy half a street. You would have a very different life to those around you and it would be challenging socially as a result.

I fail to see what this has to do with ego - it's not an assertion of superiority, it's just a factual statement. It's nothing to do with technology - working as a lawyer for remote clients would be the same.

If anything it's the opposite I would think. Ego would be rocking up and flashing the cash.

Your hometown street is one data point. There's a huge spectrum to choose from between that and Bay area/London. This feels like a false dichotomy.

Don't insult entire field based on your interpretation (perhaps justified, perhaps not) of few comments here.

Being in tech myself I will critique the culture of the industry as I see fit.

Remote work is international. I know a couple of great engineers who earn $150-200k remotely while living in the area where $3600 is considered a decent salary. That's $3600 annually, as in $300 monthly.

150k in Des Moines doesn’t go as far as you’d think, the top income tax in Iowa is 8.9%.