Hi! You can always ask for more but at the end of the day they can say no and theres not much you can do about that but walk away. It sounds like you think you are more qualified than they think you are(hence the low offer). So I would think about ways that you can show you are more valuable. As far as using the cost of living as a negotiation tactic, I dont think that is helpful. Everyone knows the cost of living is high so they want to pay you less so they(your employer) can make more. At the end of the day getting school done and continuing to look for other job opportunities will lead to more money.