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 | Baltimore, MD | $85,000 | 116.5 | $72,961 | #1 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $81,432 | 138.5 | $58,796 | #6 (-4) |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $74,950 | 146.0 | $51,336 | #10 (-7) |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $71,386 | 138.5 | $51,542 | #9 (-5) |
| 5 | Fremont, CA | $67,080 | 138.5 | $48,433 | #12 (-7) |
| 6 | New York, NE | $66,061 | 90.8 | $72,754 | #2 (+4) |
| 7 | Arlington, VA | $65,312 | 100.7 | $64,858 | #3 (+4) |
| 8 | Los Angeles, CA | $60,362 | 138.5 | $43,583 | #17 (-9) |
| 9 | City of Industry, CA | $60,341 | 138.5 | $43,567 | #18 (-9) |
| 10 | Boston, MA | $60,000 | 146.5 | $40,956 | #20 (-10) |
| 11 | Columbus, OH | $59,031 | 94.0 | $62,798 | #4 (+7) |
| 12 | Chicago, IL | $57,500 | 92.3 | $62,297 | #5 (+7) |
| 13 | New York, NY | $55,141 | 125.1 | $44,077 | #14 (-1) |
| 14 | Brooklyn, NY | $54,766 | 125.1 | $43,778 | #15 (-1) |
| 15 | Long Island City, NY | $54,766 | 125.1 | $43,778 | #16 (-1) |
| 16 | Houston, TX | $53,690 | 92.7 | $57,918 | #7 (+9) |
| 17 | DALLAS, TX | $53,248 | 92.7 | $57,441 | #8 (+9) |
| 18 | Miami, FL | $52,374 | 102.8 | $50,947 | #11 (+7) |
| 19 | Flushing, NY | $52,000 | 125.1 | $41,567 | #19 |
| 20 | Ontario, CA | $42,494 | 138.5 | $30,682 | #21 (-1) |
| 21 | Montgomery, AL | $42,047 | 87.9 | $47,835 | #13 (+8) |
Key Insights
- The highest nominal salary for Budget Analysts is in Baltimore, MD at $85,000, but after cost-of-living adjustment Baltimore, MD offers the best purchasing power at $72,961 equivalent.
- Hidden gem: Houston, TX ranks #16 by nominal pay but climbs to #7 once cost of living is factored in (up 9 spots), making its $53,690 go a lot further.
- Beware: Boston, MA looks strong at #10 on nominal pay ($60,000) but its high cost of living drops it 10 spots to #20 on purchasing power.
Salary Check
Are you a Budget Analysts wondering if you are underpaid?
Compare your pay against government-filed salary data for this role.