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 | Plano, TX | $88,800 | 92.7 | $95,793 | #1 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $84,500 | 138.5 | $61,011 | #14 (-12) |
| 3 | Bridgewater, NJ | $84,393 | 113.7 | $74,224 | #7 (-4) |
| 4 | Barrington, IL | $83,900 | 92.3 | $90,899 | #2 (+2) |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $83,853 | 114.6 | $73,170 | #8 (-3) |
| 6 | Bakersfield, CA | $80,143 | 138.5 | $57,865 | #15 (-9) |
| 7 | DES MOINES, IA | $80,142 | 90.3 | $88,751 | #3 (+4) |
| 8 | Battle Creek, MI | $79,750 | 90.6 | $88,024 | #4 (+4) |
| 9 | Minneapolis, MN | $77,522 | 94.6 | $81,947 | #5 (+4) |
| 10 | Denver, CO | $71,760 | 105.5 | $68,019 | #12 (-2) |
| 11 | Hoffman Estates, IL | $70,000 | 92.3 | $75,840 | #6 (+5) |
| 12 | Beloit, WI | $68,465 | 95.1 | $71,993 | #9 (+3) |
| 13 | Twin Falls, ID | $65,419 | 103.1 | $63,452 | #13 |
| 14 | Chicago, IL | $65,000 | 92.3 | $70,423 | #10 (+4) |
| 15 | Columbus, OH | $65,000 | 94.0 | $69,149 | #11 (+4) |
| 16 | Hayward, CA | $60,222 | 138.5 | $43,482 | #19 (-3) |
| 17 | Santa Maria, CA | $60,000 | 138.5 | $43,321 | #20 (-3) |
| 18 | Brooklyn, NY | $54,000 | 125.1 | $43,165 | #21 (-3) |
| 19 | Davis, CA | $50,316 | 138.5 | $36,329 | #23 (-4) |
| 20 | Lincoln, NE | $48,563 | 90.8 | $53,483 | #16 (+4) |
| 21 | EAST WINDSOR, NJ | $46,000 | 113.7 | $40,457 | #22 (-1) |
| 22 | EAST WINDSOR, NE | $46,000 | 90.8 | $50,661 | #17 (+5) |
| 23 | Kennett Square, PA | $45,000 | 95.6 | $47,071 | #18 (+5) |
Key Insights
- The highest nominal salary for Food Scientists and Technologists is in Plano, TX at $88,800, but after cost-of-living adjustment Plano, TX offers the best purchasing power at $95,793 equivalent.
- Hidden gem: Hoffman Estates, IL ranks #11 by nominal pay but climbs to #6 once cost of living is factored in (up 5 spots), making its $70,000 go a lot further.
- Beware: San Francisco, CA looks strong at #2 on nominal pay ($84,500) but its high cost of living drops it 12 spots to #14 on purchasing power.
Salary Check
Are you a Food Scientists and Technologists wondering if you are underpaid?
Compare your pay against government-filed salary data for this role.