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 Diego, CA | $72,000 | 138.5 | $51,986 | #5 (-4) |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $65,520 | 92.3 | $70,986 | #1 (+1) |
| 3 | Alsip, IL | $54,288 | 92.3 | $58,817 | #2 (+1) |
| 4 | Springfield, OR | $52,562 | 113.1 | $46,474 | #9 (-5) |
| 5 | Buckeye, AR | $52,062 | 89.0 | $58,497 | #3 (+2) |
| 6 | River Grove, IL | $50,315 | 92.3 | $54,512 | #4 (+2) |
| 7 | Elk Grove Village, IL | $46,446 | 92.3 | $50,321 | #6 (+1) |
| 8 | Central Point, OR | $45,968 | 113.1 | $40,644 | #14 (-6) |
| 9 | Salem, OR | $42,869 | 113.1 | $37,904 | #16 (-7) |
| 10 | Phoenix, AR | $42,786 | 89.0 | $48,074 | #8 (+2) |
| 11 | Joliet, IL | $42,453 | 92.3 | $45,995 | #10 (+1) |
| 12 | GRANT, OK | $42,224 | 86.2 | $48,984 | #7 (+5) |
| 13 | West Valley City, UT | $41,954 | 103.2 | $40,653 | #13 |
| 14 | Denver, CO | $41,558 | 105.5 | $39,391 | #15 (-1) |
| 15 | Romulus, MI | $39,291 | 90.6 | $43,368 | #11 (+4) |
| 16 | Grand Island, NE | $38,230 | 90.8 | $42,104 | #12 (+4) |
| 17 | Sumterville, FL | $36,858 | 102.8 | $35,854 | #17 |
Key Insights
- The highest nominal salary for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers is in San Diego, CA at $72,000, but after cost-of-living adjustment Chicago, IL offers the best purchasing power at $70,986 equivalent.
- Hidden gem: GRANT, OK ranks #12 by nominal pay but climbs to #7 once cost of living is factored in (up 5 spots), making its $42,224 go a lot further.
- Beware: Salem, OR looks strong at #9 on nominal pay ($42,869) but its high cost of living drops it 7 spots to #16 on purchasing power.
Salary Check
Are you a Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers wondering if you are underpaid?
Compare your pay against government-filed salary data for this role.