When it comes to setting salaries, one of the biggest questions companies face is whether to adjust pay based on where their employees live. It’s a complicated topic, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Our 2025 Compensation & Benefits Benchmark Report revealed that 56% of respondents don’t adjust salaries by location — a nearly 50/50 split. Some companies swear by geolocation-based pay adjustments, while others avoid them altogether in the name of fairness and simplicity.

If you’re wrestling with this decision, you’re not alone. Let’s explore both sides of the argument so you can decide what’s best for your organization.

The case against adjusting salary bands by location

Equal pay for equal work

At its core, the argument against adjusting salary bands based on location is all about fairness. Should someone living in a small town in Kansas make less than someone in San Francisco if they’re doing the exact same job? For many, the answer is a resounding no.

The idea of equal pay for equal work resonates with employees and employers alike. It’s straightforward and feels just. When everyone earns the same for the same work, regardless of their zip code, it can foster a sense of unity and equality across the company. Employees are less likely to feel like they’re being penalized (or rewarded) simply for living where they live.

It’s a logistical nightmare

Adjusting salaries by location might sound good in theory, but in practice, it can get messy — fast. Think about it: you’d need to create and maintain separate salary bands for every region or city where your employees live. This might not sound too bad if you’ve only got people in a handful of cities. But what about companies with fully remote teams scattered across the globe?

For organizations with widely distributed teams, location-specific pay bands can quickly become a logistical headache. You’d need to keep up with cost-of-living changes, tax implications, and regional market data — not just once, but regularly. This adds administrative complexity and requires dedicated resources to ensure it’s done correctly. And let’s face it: mistakes could lead to some seriously frustrated employees.

The case for adjusting salary bands by location

Staying competitive in high-talent markets

If your company is recruiting in areas with a high concentration of top talent, like Silicon Valley or New York City, geolocation-based pay adjustments might not just be a nice-to-have; they could be essential. These markets are notoriously competitive, and offering salaries that align with the local cost of living and market rates can make the difference between landing that superstar developer or losing them to a rival.

In these cases, geolocation adjustments are about strategy, rather than fairness. Paying higher salaries in high-cost areas ensures you remain competitive and attractive to the talent you’re targeting. It’s an investment in building a strong team and staying ahead of the competition.

Supporting relocation

Another compelling argument for geolocation-based pay adjustments comes into play when employees relocate. Imagine asking someone to move from rural Ohio to downtown Chicago for a promotion. Without adjusting their salary to account for the increased cost of living, you’re essentially asking them to take a pay cut.

By factoring geolocation into your salary bands, you’re making it easier for employees to say yes to relocation opportunities. This can reduce barriers to mobility within your organization and ensure that moves are financially viable for employees. Plus, it signals to your workforce that you’re thoughtful about their needs and willing to invest in their success.

The grey area: hybrid approaches

Of course, the decision doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Some companies take a hybrid approach, combining elements of both strategies to create a system that works for them. For example:

  • Tiered location bands: Instead of creating salary bands for every city or region, some companies group locations into tiers (e.g., high-cost, medium-cost, low-cost) and adjust pay accordingly.
  • Cost-of-living adjustments only for relocations: Some organizations maintain flat salary bands but make exceptions when employees relocate to significantly more expensive areas.
  • Market-driven adjustments: In highly competitive talent markets, some companies adjust pay based on market demand rather than cost of living.

These hybrid approaches offer flexibility and can help balance fairness with practicality. However, they still come with their own set of challenges, including the need for clear communication and transparency to avoid misunderstandings or resentment.

What to consider before making a decision

If you’re still on the fence, here are a few questions to help guide your thinking:

  1. What are your company values? If fairness and equity are core to your culture, a flat pay structure might align better with your values. If competitiveness and attracting top talent are priorities, geolocation-based adjustments could make more sense.
  2. How distributed is your workforce? For fully remote teams, managing location-specific pay can be much more complex. If most of your employees are clustered in a few regions, it might be more manageable.
  3. Do you have the resources to administer it? Geolocation-based pay adjustments require ongoing maintenance and market research. Be honest about whether your HR team has the capacity to manage this effectively.
  4. How will you communicate your decision? Whether you choose to adjust salaries based on location or not, transparency is key. Be prepared to explain your reasoning to employees and answer their questions.

The bottom line

Deciding whether to adjust salary bands based on geolocation is no small task. Both approaches have their advantages and challenges, and what works for one company might not work for another.

Ultimately, the best decision is the one that aligns with your organization’s values, goals, and resources. By carefully weighing the pros and cons and considering your unique circumstances, you can create a compensation strategy that supports your employees and sets your company up for success.