It is really the other way around. Costs in the valley are high because people generally have more money to spend, not because there is an intrinsic reason why

It is really the other way around. Costs in the valley are high because people generally have more money to spend, not because there is an intrinsic reason why it costs more to live there. > are you willing to take a salary that is commensurate with the median salary at that remote location? Salary is just a function of supply and demand. If a bunch of people with amazing talents in Louisville are willing to do it for $36K, then that will push down the wages in California too. The only thing that has really kept SF developer prices as high as they are is that even the skilled people of Louisville want $100K+ to do the job.