This is the wrong way of looking at the problem. What needs to happen is a federal government problem of assistance in finding a job and relocation. Those are

This is the wrong way of looking at the problem. What needs to happen is a federal government problem of assistance in finding a job and relocation. Those are 2 "artificial" blocks from preventing people who are barely scraping buy in those areas to move to a cheaper COL area. 1. You can't do an in person interview or even a phone interview for a job in that area if you are expected to be at work during the day, and cant miss days 2. Traveling is expensive. Moving even more so. Reduce the cost of those things to zero and few things happen. Companies get access to a wider pool of candidates for free, which they will take advantage of. This will improve the rate of economic growth in remote areas . Areas like SF will quickly start declining due to "essential" workers leaving - nurses, restaurant workers, retail, construction e.t.c. Majority of those people dont care about where they live, and will optimize for salary/col ratio, considering they can find their respective job in a lot more places. This will directly and effectively worsen the NIMBY's lives, which is the best way to get someone to change their mind. Government officials will be up for reelection, so they will absolutely have to cater to immediate demands. Best part is, the people will start selling their houses and moving as well, which will drive down the cost of housing quite a bit. Also, this necessarily will increase demand for automation, which is a good thing.