&gt; Which area has nice stores with a wide variety of organic fruits and veggies, and which area has stores where they can&#x27;t afford to replace the floor tiles when they pop out?<p>It&#x27;s interesting that you bring this up.  In the case of food, at least, lower COL areas (which are typically more rural) have access to something far better than any store - farmer&#x27;s markets and actual farms.