Income changes the story
A high-cost city with average income is brutal. A high-cost city with strong compensation can still support a fast path to FIRE.
That is why San Francisco plans need real take-home and real spending, not emotional reactions to headline prices.
Housing is the biggest lever
The gap between shared housing, modest housing, and premium housing is massive.
One housing decision can move your annual spend more than a dozen smaller frugal hacks combined.
Career upside belongs in the model
In some cities, FIRE planning is mostly about cost control. In San Francisco, compensation growth can matter just as much.
The cleanest plan usually tracks both spending discipline and plausible income growth over time.