This is the real reason CoL should be factored into the poverty line. If you’re barely (or not even) getting by, where do you get the money to move? Remember that many Americans can’t even meet a $500 emergency expense. Someone who can’t come up with $500 by any means in an emergency is not going to be able to afford to go anywhere.

Yep. & Aside from having cash to overcome unexpected expenses, making changes to reduce your cost of living or improve your financial situation often (not always) takes time, money, resources. E.g. moving house, finding a place to live with a kitchen to reduce food expenses, finding a better job...

  Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
  Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
  Everybody knows the war is over
  Everybody knows the good guys lost
  Everybody knows the fight was fixed
  The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
  That's how it goes
  Everybody knows

- Leonard Cohen