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 | Seattle, WA | $144,206 | 114.6 | $125,834 | #1 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $120,000 | 146.0 | $82,192 | #8 (-6) |
| 3 | Foster City, CA | $104,328 | 138.5 | $75,327 | #11 (-8) |
| 4 | New York, NE | $104,000 | 90.8 | $114,537 | #2 (+2) |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $103,179 | 146.5 | $70,429 | #13 (-8) |
| 6 | Arlington, VA | $102,294 | 100.7 | $101,583 | #4 (+2) |
| 7 | Detroit, MI | $95,472 | 90.6 | $105,377 | #3 (+4) |
| 8 | New York, NY | $89,084 | 125.1 | $71,210 | #12 (-4) |
| 9 | Baltimore, MD | $88,847 | 116.5 | $76,263 | #10 (-1) |
| 10 | DALLAS, TX | $85,280 | 92.7 | $91,996 | #5 (+5) |
| 11 | Ontario, CA | $85,186 | 138.5 | $61,506 | #24 (-13) |
| 12 | Philadelphia, PA | $85,000 | 95.6 | $88,912 | #7 (+5) |
| 13 | Los Angeles, CA | $82,500 | 138.5 | $59,567 | #25 (-12) |
| 14 | Brooklyn, NY | $81,162 | 125.1 | $64,877 | #21 (-7) |
| 15 | Sterling Heights, MI | $80,704 | 90.6 | $89,077 | #6 (+9) |
| 16 | Bronx, NY | $77,813 | 125.1 | $62,201 | #22 (-6) |
| 17 | Flushing, NY | $77,386 | 125.1 | $61,860 | #23 (-6) |
| 18 | Chicago, IL | $71,198 | 92.3 | $77,138 | #9 (+9) |
| 19 | Richmond, VA | $65,957 | 100.7 | $65,499 | #20 (-1) |
| 20 | Houston, TX | $64,480 | 92.7 | $69,558 | #14 (+6) |
| 21 | Livonia, MI | $62,950 | 90.6 | $69,481 | #15 (+6) |
| 22 | FARMINGTON HILLS, MI | $60,500 | 90.6 | $66,777 | #16 (+6) |
| 23 | Madison Heights, MI | $60,341 | 90.6 | $66,601 | #17 (+6) |
| 24 | Troy, MI | $60,000 | 90.6 | $66,225 | #18 (+6) |
| 25 | Southfield, MI | $59,500 | 90.6 | $65,673 | #19 (+6) |
Key Insights
- The highest nominal salary for Medical and Health Services Managers is in Seattle, WA at $144,206, but after cost-of-living adjustment Seattle, WA offers the best purchasing power at $125,834 equivalent.
- Hidden gem: Sterling Heights, MI ranks #15 by nominal pay but climbs to #6 once cost of living is factored in (up 9 spots), making its $80,704 go a lot further.
- Beware: Ontario, CA looks strong at #11 on nominal pay ($85,186) but its high cost of living drops it 13 spots to #24 on purchasing power.
Salary Check
Are you a Medical and Health Services Managers wondering if you are underpaid?
Compare your pay against government-filed salary data for this role.