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 | Dakota City, NE | $42,640 | 90.8 | $46,960 | #1 |
| 2 | HARBESON, DE | $25,376 | 101.1 | $25,100 | #5 (-3) |
| 3 | Kidron, OH | $24,960 | 94.0 | $26,553 | #3 |
| 4 | TECUMSEH, NE | $24,128 | 90.8 | $26,573 | #2 (+2) |
| 5 | Cassville, MO | $22,897 | 88.5 | $25,873 | #4 (+1) |
| 6 | Millsboro, DE | $22,880 | 101.1 | $22,631 | #13 (-7) |
| 7 | Georgetown, DE | $22,672 | 101.1 | $22,425 | #14 (-7) |
| 8 | DOBSON, NC | $21,902 | 95.7 | $22,887 | #11 (-3) |
| 9 | Batesville, AR | $21,840 | 89.0 | $24,539 | #6 (+3) |
| 10 | Springdale, AR | $21,840 | 89.0 | $24,539 | #7 (+3) |
| 11 | Gadsden, AL | $21,216 | 87.9 | $24,137 | #8 (+3) |
| 12 | EUTAW, AL | $20,779 | 87.9 | $23,639 | #9 (+3) |
| 13 | Pine Mountain Valley, GA | $20,654 | 91.0 | $22,697 | #12 (+1) |
| 14 | Fairfield, OH | $20,342 | 94.0 | $21,640 | #19 (-5) |
| 15 | Montgomery, AL | $20,342 | 87.9 | $23,142 | #10 (+5) |
| 16 | Bethlehem, GA | $20,176 | 91.0 | $22,171 | #15 (+1) |
| 17 | Pendergrass, GA | $19,760 | 91.0 | $21,714 | #18 (-1) |
| 18 | DANVILLE, AR | $19,448 | 89.0 | $21,852 | #16 (+2) |
| 19 | Laurel, MS | $18,824 | 86.3 | $21,812 | #17 (+2) |
| 20 | Batesburg, SC | $18,720 | 95.3 | $19,643 | #22 (-2) |
| 21 | COLLINSVILLE, AL | $18,720 | 87.9 | $21,297 | #20 (+1) |
| 22 | Greenville, SC | $18,533 | 95.3 | $19,447 | #23 (-1) |
| 23 | Rose Hill, NC | $18,366 | 95.7 | $19,191 | #24 (-1) |
| 24 | ISOLA, MI | $17,888 | 90.6 | $19,744 | #21 (+3) |
| 25 | Winesburg, OH | $17,555 | 94.0 | $18,676 | #27 (-2) |
| 26 | Morristown, TN | $17,222 | 90.3 | $19,072 | #25 (+1) |
| 27 | Itta Bena, MI | $17,035 | 90.6 | $18,803 | #26 (+1) |
| 28 | Gainesville, GA | $16,952 | 91.0 | $18,629 | #28 |
Key Insights
- The highest nominal salary for Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers is in Dakota City, NE at $42,640, but after cost-of-living adjustment Dakota City, NE offers the best purchasing power at $46,960 equivalent.
- Hidden gem: Montgomery, AL ranks #15 by nominal pay but climbs to #10 once cost of living is factored in (up 5 spots), making its $20,342 go a lot further.
- Beware: Millsboro, DE looks strong at #6 on nominal pay ($22,880) but its high cost of living drops it 7 spots to #13 on purchasing power.
Salary Check
Are you a Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers wondering if you are underpaid?
Compare your pay against government-filed salary data for this role.