Why are we even talking about income?

IMO, this is where the whole "high value" discussion kinda falls apart. If you're making $150K in a MCOL city you're doing well enough, but what happens when you get laid-off, fired, sidelined due to health, etc. If you're in trouble when that happens, you have no business livin the good life yet.

The real "high value" is in assets, net worth, passive income streams, access to funding/capital. When you don't need earned income anymore, then come talk to me about high value.

Yes, I checked the +$500K box. But, I could have just as easily checked the under $50K box. No difference in lifestyle either way. Yes, I know I'm an extreme example. My point is that this should be the goal - financial independence, freedom from the yolk of employers.

If you are on a path to achieving that freedom, then you're truly high value.