Whistler vs McKinney, TX

Whistler is a resort town that charges resort prices, and the numbers back that up. A one-bedroom in the center runs $1,824/mo, which eats a huge chunk of the average local net salary of $3,074/mo, leaving little room for savings, hence the weak FIRE score of 30/100. You're paying for the ski-in, ski-out lifestyle, not for practical urban living, and the tiny population of 10 thousand means limited year-round services. If you're a digital nomad with a solid remote income and a love for powder, the large expat community and decent 63/100 expat score might justify the cost, but anyone watching their budget should look elsewhere.

Canada taxes hard: expect 33% federal plus up to 21.8% provincial, a real drag on FIRE math. A retirement visa exists, so retirees do have a potential entry path, though it's not always straightforward. But remote workers and digital nomads should look past this, given a 9/10 expat friendliness score and 379.96 Mbps average internet. A 1BR apartment averaging $1,304.56/mo confirms the tax hit is the real cost center here, not rent.