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 | Baltimore, MD | $80,950 | 116.5 | $69,485 | #1 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $61,295 | 125.1 | $48,997 | #6 (-4) |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $55,547 | 146.0 | $38,046 | #18 (-15) |
| 4 | Columbia, SC | $54,962 | 95.3 | $57,673 | #2 (+2) |
| 5 | Houston, TX | $50,881 | 92.7 | $54,888 | #3 (+2) |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $50,368 | 138.5 | $36,367 | #22 (-16) |
| 7 | DALLAS, TX | $48,601 | 92.7 | $52,428 | #4 (+3) |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $47,670 | 92.3 | $51,647 | #5 (+3) |
| 9 | Baltimore, MA | $47,475 | 146.5 | $32,406 | #24 (-15) |
| 10 | Miami, FL | $47,012 | 102.8 | $45,731 | #9 (+1) |
| 11 | Brooklyn, NY | $46,988 | 125.1 | $37,560 | #21 (-10) |
| 12 | Charlotte, NC | $45,277 | 95.7 | $47,311 | #8 (+4) |
| 13 | Baton Rouge, LA | $43,610 | 91.3 | $47,766 | #7 (+6) |
| 14 | Columbus, OH | $42,010 | 94.0 | $44,691 | #10 (+4) |
| 15 | Euclid, OH | $41,540 | 94.0 | $44,191 | #11 (+4) |
| 16 | CLEVELAND, OH | $41,290 | 94.0 | $43,926 | #12 (+4) |
| 17 | Phoenix, AZ | $41,051 | 108.4 | $37,870 | #20 (-3) |
| 18 | Greensboro, NC | $40,450 | 95.7 | $42,268 | #14 (+4) |
| 19 | Jacksonville, FL | $40,400 | 102.8 | $39,300 | #15 (+4) |
| 20 | Denver, CO | $40,070 | 105.5 | $37,981 | #19 (+1) |
| 21 | Orlando, FL | $39,300 | 102.8 | $38,230 | #17 (+4) |
| 22 | Indianapolis, IN | $38,990 | 91.0 | $42,846 | #13 (+9) |
| 23 | Toledo, OH | $36,230 | 94.0 | $38,543 | #16 (+7) |
| 24 | Tuba City, AZ | $34,330 | 108.4 | $31,670 | #25 (-1) |
| 25 | Tucson, AZ | $34,307 | 108.4 | $31,649 | #26 (-1) |
| 26 | Gallup, NM | $34,001 | 94.0 | $36,171 | #23 (+3) |
| 27 | Nogales, AZ | $33,520 | 108.4 | $30,923 | #27 |
Key Insights
- The highest nominal salary for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education is in Baltimore, MD at $80,950, but after cost-of-living adjustment Baltimore, MD offers the best purchasing power at $69,485 equivalent.
- Hidden gem: Indianapolis, IN ranks #22 by nominal pay but climbs to #13 once cost of living is factored in (up 9 spots), making its $38,990 go a lot further.
- Beware: Los Angeles, CA looks strong at #6 on nominal pay ($50,368) but its high cost of living drops it 16 spots to #22 on purchasing power.
Salary Check
Are you a Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education wondering if you are underpaid?
Compare your pay against government-filed salary data for this role.