[fini]

"If I’m not mistaken, there are cost of living adjustments for different parts of the country for the same GS levels. So, while these people will have lower costs of livings, their wages will be adjusted accordingly."

You are correct, but only up to a point. Even after living adjustment, they can get a bigger house away from DC.

[fini]

What is funny is that in my part of the govt, people turn down promotions to stay away from DC.

[LambSlave]

You are correct, but only up to a point. Even after living adjustment, they can get a bigger house away from DC.

I would disagree; I know many federal DC area workers, and they all actually live in quite reasonable cost of living areas, despite working in the greater Baltimore/DC locality pay area. Some live in VA, Delaware, PA, or more rural parts of MD, so the loss of DC locality pay would be a huge offset if they had to go to farm country.