Comment by LoganDark

> 200 USD/month is a number only really affluent programmers (e.g. in the Silicon Valley) can perhaps pay easily.

Not true, I live in USA PNW and my last remote job paid $12k/mo. I have been jobless for over a month now (currently waiting for the next HN "who wants to be hired"), but I still have enough savings to easily afford to continue that plan for a while.

I don't think it really has to do with affluence but more the job market and economy you're in. Countries with lower salaries or higher costs of living will have less buying power.