I just went to the China visa office in Washington (on Wisconsin Ave., in a separate location from the main consulate), and had no problem even though I used a California home address. I guess it's impossible to predict what they will do.

It was quite easy, however. I waited about 45 min. to submit my application, and it was ready a couple of days later. I waited 15 min. to pick it up, and they charged me $130 (I guess a standard fee for all visas now) and gave one-year multiple-entry. The staff was friendlier than at most embassies.