you
can’t
afford
this
one.
Nine
years
ago,
many
Biglaw
firms
with
offices
in
smaller
markets
took
the
bold
step
of
standardizing
associate
compensation.
Historically,
firms
paid
their
New
York,
D.C.,
and
California
associates
more
than
those
elsewhere
in
the
country,
both
as
a
premium
for
young
lawyers
living
in
more
expensive
markets
and
as
a
straightforward
acknowledgement
that
the
firm
made
more
money
off
their
Manhattan
practice
than
their
Atlanta
practice.
Firms
need
to
attract
the
best
talent
to
their
most
lucrative
offices
and
then
keep
them
there
despite
a
crushing
cost
of
living
imbalance.
But
a
lot
of
firms
decided
to
flatten
the
compensation
schedule.
Suddenly,
it
became
very
attractive
to
trade
San
Francisco
for
Dallas.
At
the
time,
I
declared
this
strategy…
stupid.
To
convey
my
conviction,
I
tried
to
come
up
with
a
post
that
could
compare
the
cost
of
living
in
these
markets
in
a
way
that
could
resonate.
Since
a
picture
is
worth
a
whole
bunch
of
words,
I
gathered
home
listings
off
Zillow
in
various
markets
that
a
first-year,
NY-market
salary
associate
could
credibly
afford
under
the
“2.5x
annual
income”
rule.
Associates
in
NY
and
DC
loved
it.
Associates
in
Charlotte
hated
it.
Last
week,
we
published
a
piece
on
The
Cities
Where
Law
Firm
Associates
Can
Get
The
Biggest
Bang
For
Their
Buck.
Unlike
the
2016
project,
this
ranking
didn’t
assume
a
standard
Biglaw
salary,
the
National
Jurist
ranking
took
the
mean
reported
young
lawyer
salary
per
location
and
adjusted
it
with
a
cost-of-living
index.
This
created
some
weird
results,
like
D.C.
cracking
the
top
10
list
for
affordability
because
such
a
large
percentage
of
their
young
lawyers
are
making
serious
bank.
For
that
matter,
New
York
came
in
the
top
20.
The
results
were
informative,
but
lacked
that
special
flare
that
only
a
bunch
of
Zillow
images
can
drive…
home.
So
here
are
the
top
10
cities
from
the
National
Jurist
ranking,
depicted
as
current
listings
that
the
average
associate
could
secure
based
on
2.5x
the
mean
salary
there.
All
photos
are,
obviously,
from
Zillow
and
used
for
commentary
purposes.
Houston,
TX
—
Avg.
$176,610,
Target
$435K-$455K
This
one
will
generate
a
ton
of
complaints
because
Houston
is
less
a
city
than
a
vast,
sprawling
expanse.
Whatever
we
pick
will
either
be
“too
close”
or
“too
far”
from
where
lawyers
actually
work.
I’m
going
to
default
to
closer
to
the
center
of
the
city.
If
you
want
to
live
in
Katy,
go
ahead.
But
we’re
going
to
settle
on
the
Museum
District.
This
one
is
a
townhome
with
an
open-concept
loft-style
look.
3
bed,
3
bath,
2340
sq
ft.
Hardwood
floors
throughout.
Exposed
trusses,
gaslog
fireplace,
granite
kitchen,
and
a
roof
deck.
That
chimney
looks
like
it
could
get
annoying
though.
Slightly
over
the
middle
of
our
2.5
range
at
$449K.
Austin,
TX
—
Avg.
$163,598,
Target
$395K-$415K
Centrist
Democrats
can’t
say
enough
about
Austin
these
days,
praising
its
affordability
and
proclaiming
its
weak
regulation
environment
as
key
to
the
“Abundance”
agenda.
Maybe
the
lawyers
are
just
missing
that
price
point
in
the
housing
market,
because
the
offerings
in
the
ideal
range
aren’t
all
that
inspiring.
Solid
options,
to
be
sure,
but
nothing
that
would
make
someone
give
up
their
access
to
the
NYC
restaurant
scene.
Here’s
a
2
bed,
2
bath,
963
sq.
ft.
in
Tarrytown.
“Surrounded
by
tree-lined
streets,
charming
cafes,
neighborhood
parks,
and
Lake
Austin
just
minutes
away,
you’ll
love
the
established
character
and
convenience
this
community
provides,”
reads
the
description.
It’s
also
pushing
the
range
at
$415K…
and
that’s
before
the
HOA
fees.
Dallas,
TX
—
Avg.
$171,367,
Target
$415K-$435K
I
went
with
Oak
Lawn
for
this
one
because
it’s
described
as
a
nice
neighborhood
for
professionals.
This
came
in
on
the
lower
side
at
$420K,
but
it’s
a
condo
so
there
are
fees
to
consider
which
probably
brings
it
back
to
the
top
of
the
budget.
2
bed,
2
bath,
1154
sq.
ft.
“This
well-maintained
home
offers
an
open
floor
plan
with
floor-to-ceiling
windows
that
lead
to
a
spacious
balcony
with
wonderful
views
of
the
city.”
There
are
two
pools,
so
there’s
that.
Washington,
D.C.
—
Avg.
$204,101,
Target
$495K-$515K
Sure.
Whatever.
Let’s
call
D.C.
a
“bang
for
your
buck”
market.
The
Pennsylvania
is
a
mere
1000
away
from
the
White
House,
at
601
Pennsylvania
Ave.
1
bed,
1
bath,
801
sq.
ft.
with
“a
rooftop
terrace
with
sweeping
views
of
the
Capitol
and
Washington
Monument.”
It’s
only
$495K,
but
there
are
over
$700
in
condo
fees
to
consider.
But
you’ll
have
the
National
Guard
to
protect
you
from
all
the…
stray
litter
they’re
picking
up
along
the
way.
That’s
the
sort
of
intangible
amenity
that
you
really
can’t
price
in.
Chicago,
IL
—
Avg.
$177,961,
Target
$430K-$450K
Right
off
the
Magnificent
Mile,
this
2
bed,
2
bath,
1,350
sq.
ft.
is
$439K
and
convenient
to
the
heart
of
Chicago.
Maybe
you’ll
have
the
National
Guard
soon
too!
Which
would
be
the
only
thing
that
could
be
worse
for
you
than
the
condo
fees
which
top
$1000.
This
almost
certainly
renders
this
unit
outside
the
price
target,
but
it
was
slim
pickings
for
downtown
listings.
“Dark-stained
hardwood
floors
run
throughout
the
main
living
space,
which
comfortably
accommodates
both
living
and
dining
areas
and
flows
seamlessly
into
the
kitchen
–
ideal
for
everyday
living
or
entertaining.”
Los
Angeles,
CA
—
Avg.
$184,143,
Target
$445K-$465K
There’s
that
“bang
for
your
buck.”
1
bed,
1
bath,
754
sq.
ft.
and
over
$900
in
monthly
fees?
Sign
us
up!
You
know
you’re
in
trouble
when
the
listing
shows
more
shots
of
the
building
and
its
amenities
than
the
unit
itself.
Enjoy
the
modern
kitchen!
And
having
two
of
the
lights
burned
out
on
the
Dutch
angle
bathroom
shot
is
a
nice
touch.
This
is
an
excellent
example
of
the
problem
with
this
list.
While
a
perfectly
serviceable
condo,
this
just
isn’t
even
in
the
same
universe
of
lifestyle
for
the
money
as,
say,
Minneapolis
—
which
is
next
on
the
list.
And
yet
it
features
higher
for
some
reason.
Minneapolis,
MN
—
Avg.
$155,894,
Target
$380K-$400K
I
don’t
know
much
about
the
area,
but
the
Warehouse
District
looks
pretty
close
to
downtown
and
can
see
the
river…
that’s
got
to
be
good,
right?
But
also
who
cares
about
the
location
when
the
place
looks
this
nice.
That’s
a
perfect
party
room,
right
there.
The
kitchen
is
up-to-date
and
the
fireplace
looks
classy
in
freeze-your-genitals-off
Minnesota.
The
bedrooms
are
plain,
but
decently
sized.
It’s
a
2
bed,
2
bath,
1268
sq.
ft.
It’s
$395K
with
over
$800
in
fees.
Honestly,
this
looks
pretty
nice
for
the
average
of
average
lawyers.
Charlotte,
NC
—
Avg.
$390K-$410K
A
nice,
compact
kitchen.
This
one
is
a
little
further
from
downtown
but
it’s
not
so
bad.
Back
in
2016,
dealing
with
full
Biglaw
salaries,
I
picked
a
house
much
further
out
than
most
associates
would
ever
live,
but
it
was
also
basically
a
mansion.
This
is
much
more
modest
and
only
a
little
outside
downtown.
Lofted
bedrooms
are
cool
right
up
until
they
aren’t.
But
if
you’re
living
by
yourself,
this
is
a
fine
option.
1
bed,
1
bath,
846
sq.
ft..
We’re
at
$399,500.
Boston,
MA
—
Avg.
$189,154,
Target
$465K-$485K
“This
meticulously
designed
400
sq.
ft.
home…”
I
have
a
question
about
this
“meticulous”
design:
who
put
that
microwave
there?
Am
I
misunderstanding
the
scale
and
this
is
all
built
to
Hobbit
specifications?
Because
otherwise
that
seems
like
a
third-degree
burn
waiting
to
happen.
This
is
another
loft
bed
number
and
it’s
in
Back
Bay.
1
bed,
1
bath,
400
sq.
ft.
for
$485K.
Nothing
like
a
$1,213/sqft
price
tag
to
make
you
feel
like
you’re
stretching
your
dollar!
Salt
Lake
City,
UT
—
Avg.
$139,479,
Target
$340K-$360K
Finally
a
1
bed,
1
bath,
1123
sq.
ft.
for
$350K.
Right
in
our
sweet
spot.
Around
$700
in
maintenance,
but
still.
Lovely,
open
concept.
Close
to
downtown
without
being
in
the
center
of
it.
“The
spacious
primary
suite
includes
a
walk-in
closet
and
private
full
bath,
while
the
second
bedroom
is
ideal
for
guests
with
access
to
full
bathroom.”
A
nice
view
that
probably
would
include
mountains
on
a
less
cloudy
day.
We
ended
up
with
a
whole
run
of
condos,
which
wasn’t
the
plan,
but
I
didn’t
want
to
have
to
defend
my
commuting
decisions
on
behalf
of
hypothetical
lawyers.
So
I
placed
everyone
fairly
close
to
downtown
and
that
just
turned
out
to
be
a
lot
of
condos.
Perhaps
this
experiment
would’ve
been
better
served
by
assuming
a
renter?
After
all,
most
lawyers
just
starting
out
aren’t
buying.
But
the
options
aren’t
remarkably
better
and
to
the
extent
they
are,
it’s
just
trading
equity
for
fractional
improvements.
Anyway,
that’s
what
cost
of
living
looks
like.
Earlier:
The
Cities
Where
Law
Firm
Associates
Can
Get
The
Biggest
Bang
For
Their
Buck
Here’s
Why
You
Don’t
Deserve
The
Same
Raise…
In
Pictures
Joe
Patrice is
a
senior
editor
at
Above
the
Law
and
co-host
of
Thinking
Like
A
Lawyer.
Feel
free
to email
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questions,
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if
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