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 | Cameron, LA | $162,500 | 91.3 | $177,985 | #1 |
| 2 | Richmond, CA | $134,500 | 138.5 | $97,112 | #15 (-13) |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $110,000 | 138.5 | $79,422 | #19 (-16) |
| 4 | Fremont, CA | $109,700 | 138.5 | $79,206 | #20 (-16) |
| 5 | Tonawanda, NE | $108,651 | 90.8 | $119,660 | #3 (+2) |
| 6 | Sunnyvale, CA | $108,137 | 138.5 | $78,077 | #21 (-15) |
| 7 | Bartlesville, OK | $105,924 | 86.2 | $122,882 | #2 (+5) |
| 8 | Spring, TX | $104,600 | 92.7 | $112,837 | #4 (+4) |
| 9 | Santa Clara, CA | $104,161 | 138.5 | $75,206 | #22 (-13) |
| 10 | Devens, MA | $104,000 | 146.5 | $70,990 | #24 (-14) |
| 11 | Annandale, NJ | $102,346 | 113.7 | $90,014 | #17 (-6) |
| 12 | DES PLAINES, IL | $101,585 | 92.3 | $110,059 | #5 (+7) |
| 13 | The Woodlands, TX | $100,204 | 92.7 | $108,095 | #7 (+6) |
| 14 | Houston, TX | $100,188 | 92.7 | $108,078 | #8 (+6) |
| 15 | Baytown, TX | $100,173 | 92.7 | $108,061 | #9 (+6) |
| 16 | South San Francisco, CA | $100,105 | 138.5 | $72,278 | #23 (-7) |
| 17 | Indianapolis, IN | $100,008 | 91.0 | $109,899 | #6 (+11) |
| 18 | Pasadena, TX | $99,920 | 92.7 | $107,789 | #10 (+8) |
| 19 | Irvine, CA | $97,999 | 138.5 | $70,757 | #25 (-6) |
| 20 | Allentown, PA | $97,500 | 95.6 | $101,987 | #14 (+6) |
| 21 | Lusby, MD | $97,000 | 116.5 | $83,262 | #18 (+3) |
| 22 | Billerica, MA | $97,000 | 146.5 | $66,212 | #29 (-7) |
| 23 | St. Paul, MN | $96,800 | 94.6 | $102,326 | #13 (+10) |
| 24 | Boston, MA | $96,194 | 146.5 | $65,661 | #30 (-6) |
| 25 | Boise, ID | $95,400 | 103.1 | $92,532 | #16 (+9) |
| 26 | Palo Alto, CA | $95,014 | 138.5 | $68,602 | #26 |
| 27 | San Jose, CA | $95,014 | 138.5 | $68,602 | #27 |
| 28 | NORTH CHICAGO, IL | $95,000 | 92.3 | $102,925 | #12 (+16) |
| 29 | Midland, MI | $94,910 | 90.6 | $104,757 | #11 (+18) |
| 30 | Emeryville, CA | $94,480 | 138.5 | $68,217 | #28 (+2) |
Key Insights
- The highest nominal salary for Chemical Engineers is in Cameron, LA at $162,500, but after cost-of-living adjustment Cameron, LA offers the best purchasing power at $177,985 equivalent.
- Hidden gem: Midland, MI ranks #29 by nominal pay but climbs to #11 once cost of living is factored in (up 18 spots), making its $94,910 go a lot further.
- Beware: San Francisco, CA looks strong at #3 on nominal pay ($110,000) but its high cost of living drops it 16 spots to #19 on purchasing power.
Salary Check
Are you a Chemical Engineers wondering if you are underpaid?
Compare your pay against government-filed salary data for this role.