Pontius
I don't disagree about the quality of life argument at all, but purely financially I think you'd be hard pressed to argue that on 'average' HM forces members are financially better off in the south of England (particularly those paying for child care for example). If you include anybody that doesn't live in service provided accommodation then that gap widens eye wateringly.
Personally I'd say Lincolnshire is the ideal compromise on paper... But then you go there....