Many people would not be able to get a lower paying job in a lower CoL area because there aren't "many" jobs in lower CoL areas.

There is low CoL like Belleville, KS and there is low CoL like Pittsburgh, PA.

A nurse or line technician might have a hard time getting work in Belleville. But there is plenty of opportunity in Pittsburgh.

But alas, the extra $25K for working in NYC might totally blind them to the full picture.