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 Jose, CA | $163,301 | 138.5 | $117,907 | #13 (-12) |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $138,164 | 114.6 | $120,562 | #10 (-8) |
| 3 | Redmond, WA | $133,177 | 114.6 | $116,210 | #15 (-12) |
| 4 | Minneapolis, MN | $128,250 | 94.6 | $135,571 | #1 (+3) |
| 5 | New York, NY | $125,715 | 125.1 | $100,492 | #20 (-15) |
| 6 | DALLAS, TX | $122,850 | 92.7 | $132,524 | #2 (+4) |
| 7 | Plano, TX | $122,179 | 92.7 | $131,800 | #3 (+4) |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $121,731 | 92.7 | $131,317 | #4 (+4) |
| 9 | Charlotte, NC | $118,102 | 95.7 | $123,409 | #7 (+2) |
| 10 | Houston, TX | $117,998 | 92.7 | $127,290 | #6 (+4) |
| 11 | San Diego, CA | $117,313 | 138.5 | $84,703 | #24 (-13) |
| 12 | Philadelphia, PA | $113,700 | 95.6 | $118,933 | #12 |
| 13 | Hartford, CT | $113,300 | 112.8 | $100,443 | #21 (-8) |
| 14 | Irving, TX | $112,258 | 92.7 | $121,098 | #9 (+5) |
| 15 | Richfield, MN | $110,885 | 94.6 | $117,215 | #14 (+1) |
| 16 | Detroit, MI | $110,302 | 90.6 | $121,746 | #8 (+8) |
| 17 | Oklahoma City, OK | $110,032 | 86.2 | $127,647 | #5 (+12) |
| 18 | Richmond, VA | $109,700 | 100.7 | $108,937 | #17 (+1) |
| 19 | Atlanta, GA | $109,300 | 91.0 | $120,110 | #11 (+8) |
| 20 | Chicago, IL | $106,500 | 92.3 | $115,385 | #16 (+4) |
| 21 | Phoenix, AZ | $105,300 | 108.4 | $97,140 | #23 (-2) |
| 22 | Columbus, OH | $96,179 | 94.0 | $102,318 | #18 (+4) |
| 23 | Racine, WI | $95,944 | 95.1 | $100,887 | #19 (+4) |
| 24 | Bentonville, AR | $87,800 | 89.0 | $98,652 | #22 (+2) |
Key Insights
- The highest nominal salary for Computer Systems Analysts is in San Jose, CA at $163,301, but after cost-of-living adjustment Minneapolis, MN offers the best purchasing power at $135,571 equivalent.
- Hidden gem: Oklahoma City, OK ranks #17 by nominal pay but climbs to #5 once cost of living is factored in (up 12 spots), making its $110,032 go a lot further.
- Beware: New York, NY looks strong at #5 on nominal pay ($125,715) but its high cost of living drops it 15 spots to #20 on purchasing power.
Salary Check
Are you a Computer Systems Analysts wondering if you are underpaid?
Compare your pay against government-filed salary data for this role.