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 | Katy, TX | $96,928 | 92.7 | $104,561 | #1 |
| 2 | SUNRISE, FL | $92,792 | 102.8 | $90,265 | #3 (-1) |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $91,728 | 92.7 | $98,951 | #2 (+1) |
| 4 | Miami, FL | $90,273 | 102.8 | $87,814 | #4 |
| 5 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $81,559 | 102.8 | $79,338 | #5 |
Key Insights
- The highest nominal salary for Marine Engineers and Naval Architects is in Katy, TX at $96,928, but after cost-of-living adjustment Katy, TX offers the best purchasing power at $104,561 equivalent.
- Beware: SUNRISE, FL looks strong at #2 on nominal pay ($92,792) but its high cost of living drops it 1 spots to #3 on purchasing power.
Salary Check
Are you a Marine Engineers and Naval Architects wondering if you are underpaid?
Compare your pay against government-filed salary data for this role.