Idk about you but I know which lower cost of living I'd prefer to move to, and my break-even salary cut is 25%. I think I can negotiate it to 15-20% which would effectively be a raise.
My salary is how much money I'm willing to take to work for the company. If I can live somewhere cheaper, that number is lower.
Another perspective is that if you live somewhere remotely, employers will pay for your increase in cost of living if you move to a more expensive place.
Or just hire people from low cost of living areas.
Depending on the location, they could just let you go.
Imagine moving from Idaho to NYC. Drastic increase in cost. If an employer needs to compensate for that, I'm pretty sure theyll think long and hard whether its worth it.
My salary is how much money I'm willing to take to work for the company. If I can live somewhere cheaper, that number is lower.