I'm coming off a project, where I've got some $$ saved up. (enough were my wife wouldn't have to work for a couple years after a Jr. came along) Long term earning potential, probably isn't much different, because either way I want to go back to school. The end result would be something in the same industry I'm in now. With significantly more earning potential. So staying would help the networking. But I don't put much money weight in that. Finding something cold isn't a problem with the right class ring on...
Realistically their is no job security where I'm at. I'm at the bottom of the seniority pole now, so that won't change. Supposedly, they operate entirely off of gate reciepts, and donations go towards development. Sooo, If I go back to houston, I'll be having to change jobs anyway, or get laid off within the next 3-6 months. hmmmm