But isn't compensation supposed to factor in cost of living for employees to make the wage competitive? You're not gonna find an 85K/yr administrative office job working in Tuscaloosa. But you can find a company paying that kind of money in NYC.

I think you guys are really delusional if you expect companies to continue to pay NYC-COL wages to workers living small town USA. Those with niche skills thus they have the bargaining advantage, sure. But your average employee? Lol.