A car costs the same no matter where you live in the United States. A computer costs the same no matter where you live in the United States. A phone costs the same no matter where you live in the United States. A refrigerator costs the same no matter where you live in the United States.
I could go on, but you get the point I'm trying to make here right?
"A car costs the same no matter where you live in the United States." -- do you really believe that?
You seriously chose THAT as your hill to die on? lmao. You absolutely understand the point. High COL is better. Easier to max your 401k, easier to pay healthcare minimums, easier to save money in general since the only great cost is your rent. Besides that, perishable foods, electronics, damn near everything else will be a similar price. I moved from NC to SF and don't regret it. Entry level TC in NC is $70k, here it's $150k+. The max salary for a Senior IC is NC is about $120k, here it's fucking $500k. You people aren't thinking critically at all. The best bet is to suck it up and work in a high COL city, save up, and then go buy a mansion wherever you want outside of SF/NYC.
Yes, as with all the other things I listed, car prices are commoditized.