I suspect that if you find a place where rent prices are reasonable, you'll find it's actually surprisingly hard to find job there that pays a good wage, healthcare that keeps you healthy, decent schools to educate your children, and a community that shares your values and interests.
People don't move to high cost of living areas because they want nice TVs. Fancy stuff is the same price everywhere.
I live in Romania so I have different problems. I understand that Americans have problems with rent and healthcare. We have problem with other stuff, like food prices.
But at the end of the day, it's extremely unhealthy to let these problems force us into feeling like we have to make a lot of money. You can find cheap solutions for almost everything almost everywhere if you compromise.
I don't think people feel like they have to make a lot of money.
I think they seek jobs and places to live that give them the maximum overall benefit. I currently live in Seattle, which is quite expensive.
If there was another city like Seattle with the same schools, healthcare, climate, and culture, but cheaper housing, I'd move there as long as the salaries there weren't so much lower that it more than canceled out the benefit of cheaper housing.
The problem in the US is that even though some cities are quite expensive, they are still overall the most economical choice for people who can get good jobs in those cities. The increased pay more than makes up for the higher prices.
People don't move to high cost of living areas because they want nice TVs. Fancy stuff is the same price everywhere.