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 Francisco, CA | $59,200 | 138.5 | $42,744 | #2 (-1) |
| 2 | New York, NE | $57,162 | 90.8 | $62,954 | #1 (+1) |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $50,000 | 138.5 | $36,101 | #4 (-1) |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $47,500 | 146.5 | $32,423 | #6 (-2) |
| 5 | Brooklyn, NY | $46,030 | 125.1 | $36,795 | #3 (+2) |
| 6 | New York, NY | $45,000 | 125.1 | $35,971 | #5 (+1) |
Key Insights
- The highest nominal salary for Designers, All Other is in San Francisco, CA at $59,200, but after cost-of-living adjustment New York, NE offers the best purchasing power at $62,954 equivalent.
- Beware: Boston, MA looks strong at #4 on nominal pay ($47,500) but its high cost of living drops it 2 spots to #6 on purchasing power.
Salary Check
Are you a Designers, All Other wondering if you are underpaid?
Compare your pay against government-filed salary data for this role.