The first problem that comes to mind is that I'd have a lower salary on my resume, and would likely take a hit when I worked again in a high-salary state like C

The first problem that comes to mind is that I'd have a lower salary on my resume, and would likely take a hit when I worked again in a high-salary state like California. The second problem is that I'd also be taking a hit on real estate, if I ever planned on moving back to CA. This is speculative, I know, but it's how I think: I'd most likely buy a house, and, when I sold it it would be most likely worth less than if I'd just bought in CA to begin with. So I'd be taking a hit there as well. I'd also think it would have a lot to do with the industry you're in... If I wrote software that controlled, say, oil refineries, than then I might be more willing to work in Texas.