...that's why the vast majority of rural West Texas districts own houses for the faculty to live in...either for free, or at a ridiculously low rent. Many districts have spent a considerable amount of money since the pandemic started to build brand new homes for the faculty. So take that $42K and factor in that there will be no rent payment, or a rent payment that will be below $500/mo for that new teacher.

Just goes to show that people who have never been out in West Texas can't see beyond a dollar figure. [snark mode on], "Only $42K? Well the district must be run by a bunch of cheap jerks who don't give a crap about education. If they want me, I expect to get paid like I would in DFW." [snark mode off]