But the economic opportunities are much greater in the DC area than Richmond.
So, it doesn't matter if X region is cheaper if there aren't any jobs there...
I mean - I moved to the bay area because that's where so many software engineering jobs are. I didn't move here because I loved the high cost of living. I moved here because there were a lot of jobs and I had an easier time getting a job here than almost anywhere else (ironic - I know). The places that were hiring in "anywhere else" were paying $50k/yr and still not easy to get into.