Ambition and work. Law firms, financial companies, media... people are starting low and working their way up, with starting salaries easily in the lower 100K range. You live close to work because you work 12 hour days. It's worth paying 1K more so you don't have a 1 hour commute to Flatbush or East New York, where your Seamless options and friends are limited.

There's more at stake than apt size and rent in a city where you spend most of your time not in the apt. This changes as you age.