One important point not discussed is that wages paid in a HCOL zipcode will be spent within said zipcode..it fills the tax coffers that funds the infrastructure

One important point not discussed is that wages paid in a HCOL zipcode will be spent within said zipcode..it fills the tax coffers that funds the infrastructure of the corporations that have a ‘you-scratch-my-back-I-will-scratch-yours’ arrangement with the city govt. Example: when Twitter and Lyft and Uber got tax moratoriums from San Francisco to establish HQ so the employees will move in and spend their wages and pay taxes and all the good stuff. Except SF dropped the ball. Vs. The South Bay has historically had a better relationship with the FAANGs..Apple or Google will never leave Bay Area. South Bay takes good care of Silicon Valley. And the favour is returned. It costs millions and millions to build and keep 880 et al smooth running. There is no benefit to paying someone in a LCOL zipcode the same wages as as in a HCOL area.