I agree with your comment if you have set, as a hard constraint, “living in the USA.” However, most of the human race can live comfortable, even fulfilling lives, on less than $40K a year. But it requires moving to places with less ruinous living costs, which remote working can enable. Sure, not in all cases, but still a meaningful amount.

Apart from people who are tied to their location because of health, social, family ties, or non-remotable work, I wish more would consider the possibility. I think there’s an assumption that if one moves to Mexico, or Thailand, or Malaysia, one must automatically slum it by enduring third world conditions. Some do, but it doesn’t have to be the case.

BTW, an acquaintance privately educates his three kids, supports his wife who cannot work (due to restrictive visa conditions), and pays for his aged parent’s private healthcare and all the bills, all on $50K a year. Yes, it’s more than my $40K a year figure, but not far off, and his conditions are quite extreme.