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 | Cupertino, CA | $132,850 | 138.5 | $95,921 | #9 (-8) |
| 2 | Rio Rancho, NE | $125,424 | 90.8 | $138,132 | #1 (+1) |
| 3 | Santa Clara, CA | $114,160 | 138.5 | $82,426 | #16 (-13) |
| 4 | Milpitas, CA | $112,000 | 138.5 | $80,866 | #19 (-15) |
| 5 | Sunnyvale, CA | $111,963 | 138.5 | $80,840 | #20 (-15) |
| 6 | Fremont, CA | $110,000 | 138.5 | $79,422 | #21 (-15) |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $106,000 | 138.5 | $76,534 | #22 (-15) |
| 8 | MARLBOROUGH, MA | $105,165 | 146.5 | $71,785 | #27 (-19) |
| 9 | Collegeville, PA | $105,165 | 95.6 | $110,005 | #3 (+6) |
| 10 | Beaverton, OR | $103,386 | 113.1 | $91,411 | #10 |
| 11 | DALLAS, TX | $103,000 | 92.7 | $111,111 | #2 (+9) |
| 12 | Irvine, CA | $102,675 | 138.5 | $74,134 | #23 (-11) |
| 13 | Tualatin, OR | $100,000 | 113.1 | $88,417 | #13 |
| 14 | Livermore, CA | $99,808 | 138.5 | $72,063 | #25 (-11) |
| 15 | Billerica, MA | $98,997 | 146.5 | $67,574 | #30 (-15) |
| 16 | Freeport, TX | $98,628 | 92.7 | $106,395 | #4 (+12) |
| 17 | San Diego, CA | $98,384 | 138.5 | $71,035 | #28 (-11) |
| 18 | Chula Vista, CA | $98,384 | 138.5 | $71,035 | #29 (-11) |
| 19 | Phoenix, AZ | $93,723 | 108.4 | $86,460 | #14 (+5) |
| 20 | St. Paul, MN | $93,352 | 94.6 | $98,681 | #6 (+14) |
| 21 | Aloha, OR | $93,278 | 113.1 | $82,474 | #15 (+6) |
| 22 | Boise, ID | $93,220 | 103.1 | $90,417 | #12 (+10) |
| 23 | Hillsboro, OR | $93,038 | 113.1 | $82,262 | #18 (+5) |
| 24 | Manassas, VA | $91,667 | 100.7 | $91,030 | #11 (+13) |
| 25 | Bloomington, MN | $91,500 | 94.6 | $96,723 | #7 (+18) |
| 26 | Albany, NY | $90,848 | 125.1 | $72,620 | #24 (+2) |
| 27 | Midland, MI | $90,624 | 90.6 | $100,026 | #5 (+22) |
| 28 | Hopewell Junction, NY | $89,960 | 125.1 | $71,910 | #26 (+2) |
| 29 | Chandler, AZ | $89,315 | 108.4 | $82,394 | #17 (+12) |
| 30 | Indianapolis, IN | $87,493 | 91.0 | $96,146 | #8 (+22) |
Key Insights
- The highest nominal salary for Materials Engineers is in Cupertino, CA at $132,850, but after cost-of-living adjustment Rio Rancho, NE offers the best purchasing power at $138,132 equivalent.
- Hidden gem: Midland, MI ranks #27 by nominal pay but climbs to #5 once cost of living is factored in (up 22 spots), making its $90,624 go a lot further.
- Beware: MARLBOROUGH, MA looks strong at #8 on nominal pay ($105,165) but its high cost of living drops it 19 spots to #27 on purchasing power.
Salary Check
Are you a Materials Engineers wondering if you are underpaid?
Compare your pay against government-filed salary data for this role.