Before getting excited, let's examine the word “compensate” when talking about airline tickets.
Finding a cheap flight is only a small part of the total travel budget equation, and it will not guarantee your ability to live on-site.
A cheap airline ticket will not suddenly make a city like Zurich or Oslo affordable for daily expenses.
If you rely solely on reduced airfares to balance the budget in an expensive destination, the risk of financial disappointment is high.
Always analyze the cost of living on-site, like the price of a coffee or a tram ride, before making any decision.