<prompt> Human: Say Bobs monthly income and expenditures are 1000, 500 for rent and 500 for debt credit card, auto loan, student debt. If Bob decides to move to Honolulu and it costs 200 more in cost of living and he makes 200 more as well, his new income is 2000 and new expenditures are now 1500, 1000 rent 5002 and 500 debt. Bob just made 500month. This would obviously be more beneficial for those with high debt ratios and those who move to an area significantly more expensive. In practice, maybe cost of living pay difference doesnt match actual cost of living. But in that case you should still come out ahead as long as the raise is more than inverse debt ratio times cost of living plus debt ratio 1.7 raise 1.5 adjusted COL .5 2.0.5. This works out in theory in my head but Ive never heard of this as a strategy, so whats the catch?  <response>: The catch is that not everyone has a high income in high COL areas. Also, money isnt everything to everyone. Some folks are fine trading high income for a shorter commute, proximity to family, nice neighborhoods, etc.Personal finance is personal. If the numbers, plus social trade offs work, moving to a high COL area can be beneficial. 