Outside of the 10% elite, does the typical NOVA resident have a high standard of living? (Fairfax: apartment, insurance)

[Spaten_Drinker]

Originally Posted by spencgr

Please define "standard of living".

If the people doing the middle class jobs you mentioned agreed with you, why have they not all flocked to Minneapolis?

To me "standard of living" is what the people in this area expect when it comes to housing and amenities. Around here, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances are expected in housing advertised as "luxury". In other areas of the country, having a garage is a luxury when it is considered standard here.

Having grocery stores and malls within 10 minutes is "standard" around here.

[I'm Retired Now]

Originally Posted by NOVA_guy

Lol is this a joke. It's a known fact that NoVA and the DC metro area is one of the most affluent areas in the country. That's just the way it is.

Do you ever get bored of making the same kind of threads. We get it, you hate Northern Virginia.

I admit there are some very wealthy families in NOVA and there is a good share of upper middle class people too. Lots of opportunity for professionals. But I still maintain the stats on the wealth here is misleading because of the 10% wealthy. The typical person in NOVA has no more buying power and no fancier lifestyle than people in Dallas, Houston, Atlanta or Kansas City.

Some people have fancy jobs but the pay really does not give them much of a lifestyle. Wages are higher for many jobs but not high enough to cover the additional expenses related to the cost of living.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by I'm Retired Now

I admit there are some very wealthy families in NOVA and there is a good share of upper middle class people too. Lots of opportunity for professionals. But I still maintain the stats on the wealth here is misleading because of the 10% wealthy. The typical person in NOVA has no more buying power and no fancier lifestyle than people in Dallas, Houston, Atlanta or Kansas City.

It's been explained before, but you don't seem to get it. Do you not understand the difference between average and median? The stats that have been cited (reminder, you have cited none for your assertations) discuss the MEDIAN salary for this area is above $100K. That means that HALF of the families in this area make more than $100K. If the incomes of the top 10% increased a hundred-fold, that would not alter that statistic at all. It would remain the same. HALF of all families here would still have an income over $100K.

Do you claim that statistics "lie" because you don't understand what they mean?

[I'm Retired Now]

Originally Posted by spencgr

It's been explained before, but you don't seem to get it. Do you not understand the difference between average and median? The stats that have been cited (reminder, you have cited none for your assertations) discuss the MEDIAN salary for this area is above $100K. That means that HALF of the families in this area make more than $100K. If the incomes of the top 10% increased a hundred-fold, that would not alter that statistic at all. It would remain the same. HALF of all families here would still have an income over $100K.

Do you claim that statistics "lie" because you don't understand what they mean?

Places like Arlington are full of singles living alone or with roommates so in many places in NOVA few people are in traditional families. I know the difference between mean and median. But I don't respect your statements. Show me the median income of a place like Scott County Minnesota (Suburban county right outside Mpls) and compare it to Fairfax County VA and yes, it is higher but adjust it to the cost of living and the typical person in Scott County has a better standard of living. (Fairfax County has more super rich which messes with the figures for median and mean.)

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by I'm Retired Now

Places like Arlington are full of singles living alone or with roommates so in many places in NOVA few people are in traditional families. I know the difference between mean and median. But I don't respect your statements. Show me the median income of a place like Scott County Minnesota (Suburban county right outside Mpls) and compare it to Fairfax County VA and yes, it is higher but adjust it to the cost of living and the typical person in Scott County has a better standard of living. (Fairfax County has more super rich which messes with the figures for median and mean.)

I'm now slamming my head against the wall. I'm out.

[airjay75]

Originally Posted by I'm Retired Now

I know the difference between mean and median. (Fairfax County has more super rich which messes with the figures for median and mean.)

Originally Posted by I'm Retired Now

(Fairfax County has more super rich which messes with the figures for median and mean.)

Um, apparently, you don't know the difference between mean and median. If you did, you would not have made the latter statement.

[apexgds]

Originally Posted by I'm Retired Now

(Fairfax County has more super rich which messes with the figures for median and mean.)

You need to quit while you're ahead. This statement is just freaking comical. You clearly do not understand median.

[pcity]

I think "median" needs to be explained to the OP with an example:

Take 5 people.

Person 1 makes 10k.
Person 2 makes 10k.
Person 3 makes 30k.
Person 4 makes 40k.
Person 5 makes 60k.

Median income is 30k in this scenario.

Person 1 makes 10k.
Person 2 makes 10k.
Person 3 makes 30k.
Person 4 makes 900k.
Person 5 makes 900k.

Median income is still 30k in this scenario.

The top 10% can't skew a "median" income. The median is based on the "middle" value, not the average value.

[apexgds]

Deleted because someone beat me to it, and did it with a lot less snark.

[I'm Retired Now]

So we have determined the difference between median and mean. Great find me the median family income for Fairfax County in a link and then adjust it for the incredibly high cost of living. I still maintain that the average person in Fairfax County is not doing all that great because the income is not as high as the difference in the cost of living.

7 out of 10 people living in Fairfax doing regular jobs would live much better in other areas and would be able to live in a nicer home, do more fun things and have more money saved at the end of the month. Only the elites do better here.