I think the bit on the homeless family drove the point well that yeah it's worse there than in Appalachia, both parents were employed full time and not at some minimum wage jobs either, but they still couldn't afford housing. Wouldn't be a problem in a much lower cost of living area.
Well, the federal government doesn't take into account cost of living, so they aren't doing sh**t for people who can't possibly afford reasonable housing in the bay area, but their income isn't poor by Applachia standards. A typical 2 bedroom house in the bay area might cost $1 million to buy or $4000 a month to rent. You could live like a king for that money in Applachia.
