If you're just trying to get good candidates for salaries below the Bay area rates, basically pick any 2nd tier city in the US. It may still be more expensive

If you're just trying to get good candidates for salaries below the Bay area rates, basically pick any 2nd tier city in the US. It may still be more expensive than France/Germany etc, but there's no language barrier, closer time zones, similar holidays, better labor laws (for the employer), etc. In my personal opinion the cost difference doesn't make up for those hurdles until you get much cheaper salaries like India, China, Brazil, etc. Obviously individual circumstances apply.