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 | San Ramon, CA | $108,451 | 138.5 | $78,304 | #12 (-11) |
| 2 | Sugar Land, TX | $100,150 | 92.7 | $108,037 | #1 (+1) |
| 3 | Concord, CA | $92,290 | 138.5 | $66,635 | #16 (-13) |
| 4 | Santa Clara, CA | $91,500 | 138.5 | $66,065 | #17 (-13) |
| 5 | WALNUT CREEK, CA | $88,400 | 138.5 | $63,827 | #18 (-13) |
| 6 | SACRAMENTO, CA | $86,680 | 138.5 | $62,585 | #19 (-13) |
| 7 | Redwood City, CA | $85,000 | 138.5 | $61,372 | #20 (-13) |
| 8 | Palo Alto, CA | $85,000 | 138.5 | $61,372 | #21 (-13) |
| 9 | NEWARK, NE | $84,989 | 90.8 | $93,600 | #2 (+7) |
| 10 | Canonsburg, PA | $84,372 | 95.6 | $88,255 | #7 (+3) |
| 11 | Frederick, MD | $83,541 | 116.5 | $71,709 | #13 (-2) |
| 12 | Oakland, CA | $83,233 | 138.5 | $60,096 | #22 (-10) |
| 13 | LONG ISLAND CITY, NE | $82,867 | 90.8 | $91,263 | #3 (+10) |
| 14 | BROOKLYN, NE | $82,867 | 90.8 | $91,263 | #4 (+10) |
| 15 | New York, NE | $82,867 | 90.8 | $91,263 | #5 (+10) |
| 16 | Ann Arbor, MI | $82,160 | 90.6 | $90,684 | #6 (+10) |
| 17 | San Jose, CA | $82,155 | 138.5 | $59,317 | #23 (-6) |
| 18 | Milpitas, CA | $82,000 | 138.5 | $59,206 | #24 (-6) |
| 19 | Lake Mary, FL | $81,867 | 102.8 | $79,637 | #10 (+9) |
| 20 | Pleasanton, CA | $81,000 | 138.5 | $58,484 | #25 (-5) |
| 21 | Houston, TX | $80,517 | 92.7 | $86,858 | #8 (+13) |
| 22 | Long Beach, CA | $80,080 | 138.5 | $57,819 | #26 (-4) |
| 23 | San Mateo, CA | $80,000 | 138.5 | $57,762 | #27 (-4) |
| 24 | Reston, VA | $80,000 | 100.7 | $79,444 | #11 (+13) |
| 25 | San Francisco, CA | $79,164 | 138.5 | $57,158 | #28 (-3) |
| 26 | Metairie, LA | $78,582 | 91.3 | $86,070 | #9 (+17) |
| 27 | Bellevue, WA | $78,437 | 114.6 | $68,444 | #14 (+13) |
| 28 | BERKELEY, CA | $78,146 | 138.5 | $56,423 | #29 (-1) |
| 29 | Los Angeles, CA | $76,170 | 138.5 | $54,996 | #30 (-1) |
| 30 | Glastonbury, CT | $76,003 | 112.8 | $67,379 | #15 (+15) |
Key Insights
- The highest nominal salary for Civil Engineers is in San Ramon, CA at $108,451, but after cost-of-living adjustment Sugar Land, TX offers the best purchasing power at $108,037 equivalent.
- Hidden gem: Metairie, LA ranks #26 by nominal pay but climbs to #9 once cost of living is factored in (up 17 spots), making its $78,582 go a lot further.
- Beware: Concord, CA looks strong at #3 on nominal pay ($92,290) but its high cost of living drops it 13 spots to #16 on purchasing power.
Salary Check
Are you a Civil Engineers wondering if you are underpaid?
Compare your pay against government-filed salary data for this role.