In the Advanced Race Guide, page 219, under "Challenging Advanced and Monstrous Races" it suggests having races be a level less for race cost 20 for a while. In order to implement this I came up with a system for XP debt.
However, that can be a pain to implement. It is easier to just give a flat modifier. I was thinking that perhaps using Point-Buy Attributes, and giving a number of Attribute points based on the race cost.
For example, races that are more on par with the PHB races would be at 20 or 25, and races that are a bit tougher would have fewer attribute points to play with.
Assuming that Humans and similar-pointed races would be 20 attribute points. A lower-point build (I think Kobold was 5) would be 25 attribute points. Tieflings and Aasimars would be 15 attribute points.
Is this a fair assessment? You guys are good at shooting down my ideas (but in a good way), I would rather ask before trying it in the game.