Some things cost the same nationwide, for example the MSRP of a new truck. A college degree means higher income and certain higher expenses (e.g, housing), but

Some things cost the same nationwide, for example the MSRP of a new truck. A college degree means higher income and certain higher expenses (e.g, housing), but not others. Your college debt balance is the same regardless if you earn $70,000 in an entry level Software Engineering job in Philadelphia or $120,000 in SFBA. That creates room for some arbitrage and wealth building.