In this episode of Drip Trickle Flow Flood, we dig into a timely article on how median salaries shifted across the U.S. and what those numbers really mean in real life. From remote work reshaping entire regions to why a raise doesn’t always feel like a raise, we unpack the hidden stories behind state-by-state income data, share personal observations from Washington and Hawaii, and explore creative ways people are leveraging geography, flexibility, and strategy to build wealth. If you’ve ever wondered how location impacts your earning power (or how to play the long game with income), this one’s for you.

1. Median incomes may be rising, but cost of living often rises right alongside them, so higher pay doesn’t automatically mean more financial freedom.
2. Remote and hybrid work are quietly reshaping local economies, driving up housing costs and salaries in unexpected places far outside major cities.
3. Big employers and corporate hubs can dramatically skew state averages, creating pockets of wealth that don’t reflect the broader region.
4. Some people are strategically earning high salaries in expensive areas early on, then moving to lower-cost states to stretch savings and investments further.
5. Thinking long-term about where you work, where you live, and how you stack and deploy income can create powerful flexibility across different seasons of life.

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