diff --git a/news/10840.removal.rst b/news/10840.removal.rst
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..c5b319fa166
--- /dev/null
+++ b/news/10840.removal.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+Disable location mismatch warnings on Python versions prior to 3.10 since we
+have completed the transition and no longer need to rely on reports from older
+Python versions.
diff --git a/src/pip/_internal/locations/__init__.py b/src/pip/_internal/locations/__init__.py
index 6aeb64e79ec..ac0c166e519 100644
--- a/src/pip/_internal/locations/__init__.py
+++ b/src/pip/_internal/locations/__init__.py
@@ -38,30 +38,35 @@
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
-if os.environ.get("_PIP_LOCATIONS_NO_WARN_ON_MISMATCH"):
-    _MISMATCH_LEVEL = logging.DEBUG
-else:
-    _MISMATCH_LEVEL = logging.WARNING
 
 _PLATLIBDIR: str = getattr(sys, "platlibdir", "lib")
 
+_USE_SYSCONFIG_DEFAULT = sys.version_info >= (3, 10)
+
 
 def _should_use_sysconfig() -> bool:
-    """
-    This function determines the value of _USE_SYSCONFIG.
+    """This function determines the value of _USE_SYSCONFIG.
+
     By default, pip uses sysconfig on Python 3.10+.
     But Python distributors can override this decision by setting:
         sysconfig._PIP_USE_SYSCONFIG = True / False
     Rationale in https://github.com/pypa/pip/issues/10647
+
+    This is a function for testability, but should be constant during any one
+    run.
     """
-    if hasattr(sysconfig, "_PIP_USE_SYSCONFIG"):
-        return bool(sysconfig._PIP_USE_SYSCONFIG)  # type: ignore [attr-defined]
-    return sys.version_info >= (3, 10)
+    return bool(getattr(sysconfig, "_PIP_USE_SYSCONFIG", _USE_SYSCONFIG_DEFAULT))
 
 
-# This is a function for testability, but should be constant during any one run.
 _USE_SYSCONFIG = _should_use_sysconfig()
 
+# Be noisy about incompatibilities if this platforms "should" be using
+# sysconfig, but is explicitly opting out and using distutils instead.
+if _USE_SYSCONFIG_DEFAULT and not _USE_SYSCONFIG:
+    _MISMATCH_LEVEL = logging.WARNING
+else:
+    _MISMATCH_LEVEL = logging.DEBUG
+
 
 def _looks_like_bpo_44860() -> bool:
     """The resolution to bpo-44860 will change this incorrect platlib.