I agree, I moved from Missouri to California and cost of living cannot be the reason for pay difference...we have just not said any thing for changes in pay for nurses. The hospital charges the same amount here as there, McDonald's and any other place the price is the same, of course housing is a little more expensive but I promise you I live in a comparable home that I did in Missouri and I paying $500 more a month. I left Missouri making a little over $45,000 a year and I made $40,000 in the first four months of the year. Missouri nurses work just as hard as any other nurse and deserve a fair wage!