Around 1994, two of our friends packed up and headed to Austin because Austin was doing well economically and had jobs. A lot of growth there.
Once they arrived they said the homes they purchased were twice the size and amenities compared to what they could afford in California.
When my mother sold her home to a plant manager from the north east, he said it was half the price and twice the size of his north eastern home.
It's all in proportion, salaries are lower here than northern areas and so the home prices are lower too.
I once saw a California million dollar home posted here on Free Republic. I'm not exaggerating when I say that it looked like a 1950’s Ranch style home that would cost under a hundred thousand here in Texas. I wouldn't look twice at it, lol.