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Depending on the area you live in/their background, I would probably assume trust fund or significant family help. We have friends who, while a few years older (and therefore making more than DH makes), own a townhome that is just ridiculous (and they bought it a few years ago)--his parents are loaded so we are pretty sure they helped with the down payment.

I think it's ok to also question your compensation with HR, although no idea how to properly go about doing that.

I would just drop it. Really hard to know what affords them their lifestyle; there are just too many variables! Inheritance, a huge payout from lawsuit, successful investments, to list a few. Maybe they're in debt!

ETA: But I would still pursue your salary situation if you really don't think you're getting paid enough!

Maybe it's because I have many friends with similar educational backgrounds but very different financial statuses due to family money, but honestly I wouldn't worry about this at all. I would assume either trust fund or else they are spending beyond their means, but I would definitely not assume that your co-worker is being paid that much more than you.

That said, you should definitely try to make sure you are getting a fair salary, so it's worth talking with HR, but I would NOT bring up your co-worker's expensive house and fancy cars.

No, it wouldn't even occur to me to be upset. But then I know a lot of people who get family help buying houses so I'd figure it's that (we are not those people so we're renting, haha). Or they don't save much and have more debt. Some combo of those things!

@Modern Daisy: I strongly support salary equality, so I think if you have suspisions, you should follow through.

@Modern Daisy: I see. Do you think they are in debt?! Do they seem like financially responsible people? So you really think that he makes THAT much more? If so that is so unfair! I am sorry you have to have such suspicions b/c salary discrimination is just all too common.

Is there any forum or places where people who do what you do gather and for you to seriously start digging out what you should be making without taking more action?

I agree with others that there are way too many variables to assume about someone elses financial situation.

That said...my boss was quite honest with me that I am underpaid...and that she is doing what she can to gradually adjust that upward. (My company is ridiculously frugal) I spoke to a recruiter who was able to provide me some insight into what I am worth in the open market. I wanted to ensure the number my boss was working towards was a legit market price for me...

@Modern Daisy: you can creep the house on zillow and trulia to see when it was bought and for how much.
I'd just assume trust fund and they have good investments, so income from elsewhere than just that job.
But if you have other reasons to suspect you should ask around or something but I wouldn't think anything due to a house.

@Maysprout: Yes, the property appraiser website should have the house listings which includes sale price/date. This wont factor in how much down payment they had for it, but you'll know if they maybe bought it for really cheap.

@Modern Daisy: Yea I agree, you can't really use any of that as "evidence" but I would really use it as a red flag that maybe your salary is lower than his and you have some issues.

@Modern Daisy: Yes, I would talk to a recruiter before a lawyer. Maybe even there are other options out there for you that you can present to your current employer to use as justification for why you need a raise.

@Modern Daisy: Are you looking at the estimated value on Zillow or the purchase price ?

@Modern Daisy: I think taking legal action will have an adverse on your relationship with your employer. Can you interview at a competitor and see what kind of offer you get? Then you can take that back to your employer and tell them you would like to stay but the money is too compelling for your family. And see how they respond.

@Modern Daisy: I don't think the house alone would make me suspicious. As others have said, some people are more comfortable carrying debt, not having a savings, etc. Also possible is that they don't make a lot of smaller consumer purchases. I know my one friend has a much larger house than us even though I suspect we make similar, but she has a combo of family support and she and her husband also don't shop as much my husband and I do (i.e. My husband has an expensive hobby, we grocery shop at whole foods, buy more "junk" then they do, etc). I just think it is so hard to compare!

However, unrelated to the house, it does seem smart to find out if you are being undervalued and make sure you are being fairly compensated.

If the concern is salary disparity, by your own logic, wouldn't he have to make double or more than you to be able to afford the type of luxuries you're talking about? You've said you don't think it could be entirely family money, but I don't see how it could he could make that much more than you without you knowing. His wife might also have family money too. I've known a lot of people whose parents have purchased their home for them.

I would try to inquire around but without mentioning your coworker. It will just make you look tacky if you bring him up.

Also Zillow is pretty inaccurate actually. Only about 50/50. You could look up property tax records (tax appraised value is usually 65-75% of home value) for more accurate data.

@Modern Daisy: Sounds like you have some legitimate concerns about your salary so I think addressing those may be a separate issue from the house value issue.

Strictly on the house value issue, I wouldn't make any assumptions about your coworker's salary. He could be in a huge amount of debt or maybe he or his wife have family money. One of my coworkers at the same level as me has a giant house and his wife stays home. I always wondered what the deal was, and one day he happened to mention the large inheritance he received from his rich grandparents when he was in high school. Like enough to pay for their house and their cars and give them a large investment that pays them monthly interest.