FAANG engineers definitely do, especially with a few years of tenure. My SQL-slinging data analyst friends at Netflix start at 350-400 base, and the sky is the limit. Now, if you don't work at FAANG, you're probably averaging in the 200-300 range total comp. A couple can easily clear 500k a year for 5 years, and still not feel comfortable buying a house the size of which I grew up in the Midwest (i.e., small).

In short, incomes are high, and so are costs. That being said, I've definitely come out way ahead by living here by staying somewhat sane with expenses.

Damn, I'm at a startup making ~$160k with 6 years experience. Maybe it's time to move on...

Just like to point out that "some engineers at some top companies" is pretty far from "most folks in Silicon Valley".

No.

I’m only talking about engineers. Look at compensation on levels.fyi. Staff engineers should make north of that.