If you freelance, your rates don't matter if you are selling your labor in Memphis or Manhattan or LA?
I didn't know that.
Well, I'm sure the employer will try to tell you they do but part of being a consultant is selling. :) I don't pay $800 for an iphone because it costs $700 to make (probably more like $50-$200), I pay it because that's the price the market decided it was worth.