It's the same in the States - you make a much higher salary working in the city. I used to commute two hours to work each way from Manassas to DC - it became so tiring. That's why I moved to Arlington. But if I had a family I would definitely live in the suburbs and suffer with a longer commute. I understand the resources in Moscow are much better, but in smaller American towns resources are still pretty good. :) So there's a slight difference.