Nah. 40K isn't hard to live on anywhere in the US unless you have a 20K per year coke habit. I live in San Diego which has a median house value 80K higher than LA. I'm comfortable but that simply means I live with roommates, eat a few times a day, and can pay for luxuries like a cell phone and internet access. Americans in general are underpayed, but also think they need to keep up with the Kardashians. An extra 25k a year in my pocket would change a lot in my life, but I'd be equally as happy living the exact same lifestyle for the next 5-7 years and banking it all.