Not really. Different demographics and different subeconomies are feeling better or worse than others. CPI is also calculated at a subnational level as well.

Insurance, Rent, Food, and other fundamentals are all differently priced in different regions and subregions of the US.

Edit: cannot reply

> The racial diversion ...

This comment was not about race - both Oregon and West Virgina are majority white, but have entirely different demographics (urban heavy Oregon with the population centered around Portland versus rural primary WV with microagglomerations on the border of DMV and Huntington-Ashland).

And more critically, the fact that you assumed it as such betrays a lot about you.

The racial diversion is tiring and hedging by "it's all relative" is boring. The article is about zeitgeist..