Nominal salary tells you how much money you receive. Cost-of-living-adjusted salary tells you how much that money can actually buy. A $200,000 salary in San Francisco and a $140,000 salary in Austin can provide nearly identical purchasing power. Tax differences are not included.
Where Should I Live?
Nominal vs COL-Adjusted Salary
| # | Location | Median (Nominal) | COL Index | Adjusted | COL Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NE | $150,000 | 90.8 | $165,198 | #1 |
| 2 | Brooklyn, NY | $137,049 | 125.1 | $109,551 | #2 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $120,000 | 125.1 | $95,923 | #4 (-1) |
| 4 | Cupertino, CA | $109,179 | 138.5 | $78,830 | #6 (-2) |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | $107,500 | 138.5 | $77,617 | #8 (-3) |
| 6 | Portland, OR | $105,000 | 113.1 | $92,838 | #5 (+1) |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | $103,000 | 138.5 | $74,368 | #9 (-2) |
| 8 | SANTA MONICA, CA | $100,000 | 138.5 | $72,202 | #11 (-3) |
| 9 | Chicago, IL | $99,350 | 92.3 | $107,638 | #3 (+6) |
| 10 | Boston, MA | $82,000 | 146.5 | $55,973 | #15 (-5) |
| 11 | Miami, FL | $74,360 | 102.8 | $72,335 | #10 (+1) |
| 12 | DALLAS, TX | $72,041 | 92.7 | $77,714 | #7 (+5) |
| 13 | Austin, TX | $64,280 | 92.7 | $69,342 | #12 (+1) |
| 14 | Atlanta, GA | $62,500 | 91.0 | $68,681 | #13 (+1) |
| 15 | Houston, TX | $61,500 | 92.7 | $66,343 | #14 (+1) |
Key Insights
- The highest nominal salary for Advertising and Promotions Managers is in New York, NE at $150,000, but after cost-of-living adjustment New York, NE offers the best purchasing power at $165,198 equivalent.
- Hidden gem: Chicago, IL ranks #9 by nominal pay but climbs to #3 once cost of living is factored in (up 6 spots), making its $99,350 go a lot further.
- Beware: Boston, MA looks strong at #10 on nominal pay ($82,000) but its high cost of living drops it 5 spots to #15 on purchasing power.
Salary Check
Are you a Advertising and Promotions Managers wondering if you are underpaid?
Compare your pay against government-filed salary data for this role.