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 | $79,997 | 138.5 | $57,759 | #5 (-4) |
| 2 | Atlanta, GA | $76,521 | 91.0 | $84,088 | #1 (+1) |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $73,306 | 146.0 | $50,209 | #7 (-4) |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $71,802 | 114.6 | $62,654 | #3 (+1) |
| 5 | SACRAMENTO, CA | $65,650 | 138.5 | $47,401 | #9 (-4) |
| 6 | DALLAS, TX | $65,000 | 92.7 | $70,119 | #2 (+4) |
| 7 | Upton, NY | $65,000 | 125.1 | $51,958 | #6 (+1) |
| 8 | New York, NY | $61,004 | 125.1 | $48,764 | #8 |
| 9 | Houston, TX | $55,000 | 92.7 | $59,331 | #4 (+5) |
Key Insights
- The highest nominal salary for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health is in San Francisco, CA at $79,997, but after cost-of-living adjustment Atlanta, GA offers the best purchasing power at $84,088 equivalent.
- Hidden gem: Houston, TX ranks #9 by nominal pay but climbs to #4 once cost of living is factored in (up 5 spots), making its $55,000 go a lot further.
- Beware: San Francisco, CA looks strong at #1 on nominal pay ($79,997) but its high cost of living drops it 4 spots to #5 on purchasing power.
Salary Check
Are you a Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health wondering if you are underpaid?
Compare your pay against government-filed salary data for this role.