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 | Roswell, NM | $190,000 | 94.0 | $202,128 | #1 |
| 2 | Lubbock, TX | $180,000 | 92.7 | $194,175 | #2 |
| 3 | Champaign, IL | $171,080 | 92.3 | $185,352 | #3 |
| 4 | Peoria, IL | $165,800 | 92.3 | $179,632 | #4 |
| 5 | New Bedford, MA | $161,500 | 146.5 | $110,239 | #22 (-17) |
| 6 | Fort Wayne, IN | $156,000 | 91.0 | $171,429 | #5 (+1) |
| 7 | Indianapolis, IN | $156,000 | 91.0 | $171,429 | #6 (+1) |
| 8 | Stockton, CA | $156,000 | 138.5 | $112,635 | #21 (-13) |
| 9 | Milwaukee, WI | $156,000 | 95.1 | $164,038 | #7 (+2) |
| 10 | Manchester, NH | $151,778 | 109.9 | $138,106 | #18 (-8) |
| 11 | Worcester, MA | $150,000 | 146.5 | $102,389 | #24 (-13) |
| 12 | Springfield, IL | $150,000 | 92.3 | $162,514 | #8 (+4) |
| 13 | Modesto, CA | $150,000 | 138.5 | $108,303 | #23 (-10) |
| 14 | Harrisburg, PA | $146,500 | 95.6 | $153,243 | #11 (+3) |
| 15 | DALLAS, TX | $144,000 | 92.7 | $155,340 | #9 (+6) |
| 16 | ARLINGTON, TX | $144,000 | 92.7 | $155,340 | #10 (+6) |
| 17 | Springfield, MA | $143,000 | 146.5 | $97,611 | #25 (-8) |
| 18 | CLEVELAND, OH | $139,000 | 94.0 | $147,872 | #13 (+5) |
| 19 | New Britain, CT | $138,237 | 112.8 | $122,551 | #20 (-1) |
| 20 | Fall River, MA | $137,599 | 146.5 | $93,924 | #26 (-6) |
| 21 | Fort Worth, TX | $133,600 | 92.7 | $144,121 | #14 (+7) |
| 22 | EL PASO, TX | $132,000 | 92.7 | $142,395 | #15 (+7) |
| 23 | Bloomington, IL | $130,104 | 92.3 | $140,958 | #16 (+7) |
| 24 | FRESNO, CA | $130,000 | 138.5 | $93,863 | #27 (-3) |
| 25 | Oklahoma City, OK | $130,000 | 86.2 | $150,812 | #12 (+13) |
| 26 | SANTA ROSA, CA | $130,000 | 138.5 | $93,863 | #28 (-2) |
| 27 | REDDING, CA | $130,000 | 138.5 | $93,863 | #29 (-2) |
| 28 | San Antonio, TX | $129,000 | 92.7 | $139,159 | #17 (+11) |
| 29 | Toledo, OH | $128,812 | 94.0 | $137,034 | #19 (+10) |
| 30 | Bakersfield, CA | $124,800 | 138.5 | $90,108 | #30 |
Key Insights
- The highest nominal salary for Dentists, General is in Roswell, NM at $190,000, but after cost-of-living adjustment Roswell, NM offers the best purchasing power at $202,128 equivalent.
- Hidden gem: Oklahoma City, OK ranks #25 by nominal pay but climbs to #12 once cost of living is factored in (up 13 spots), making its $130,000 go a lot further.
- Beware: New Bedford, MA looks strong at #5 on nominal pay ($161,500) but its high cost of living drops it 17 spots to #22 on purchasing power.
Salary Check
Are you a Dentists, General wondering if you are underpaid?
Compare your pay against government-filed salary data for this role.