You have a point, but you're dangerously close to an argument that people who live in more expensive areas are intrinsically "better" than those who don't, whatever the reason.

Some of us may choose to live in more affordable cities because the quality of living is higher, or because we value being able to safely and comfortably walk or bike between home, office, and other destinations.

I personally make enough to live reasonably well in most any city in the US, and after a couple of years in the Bay Area, moved back to my native Portland because the quality of life was simply better, at least on the axes I care about.