Why Gitlab pays local rates

> If everyone is paid a standard salary, those who live in high-income areas would have less discretionary income when compared to their counterparts in lower-income communities.

Yeah, but that's their choice isn't it? I could choose to live in a busting metropolis, bike to work without a car, and pay higher rent because its in a prime living area. Or I could move out of the city, get a low mortgage on a home and drive to work. Still my choice, and a company shouldn't need to worry about my "discretionary income".