Hey Op, most people seem to have the whole quality of life thing covered, so I will cover the other aspects.

I am not in healthcare, but many of my friends are and in New England I was told by a doctor that you "can't extend your arms without hitting another doctor" and that, all things considered, the wages were lower here despite the cost of living because there are a lot of healthcare jobs and schools out here.

I'm not sure how nursing pay compares to Indiana, but I do know that a lot of RI nurses complain about the pay being low relative to MA. Lately, I see MA nurses complain because the cost of living is still so high in MA and they pay way lower than other areas like CA at similar rents. So, take of it what you will. I'm not sure how far you will need to commute to feel that your pay is commensurate with your cost of living, but I have to imagine 30 minutes to truly be in another pay rate.

Also worth mentioning that an in person field like nursing has some quality of life elements to it. MA overall has way better unions and workers protections than Indiana. Rhode Island now has a giant monopoly merger for all of its healthcare so I don't know how people feel about that currently in nursing.

When you're here, talk to nurses. And not just the older ones with homes they bought in 1982, but the younger ones who are still renting and current on CoL.