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 | Boston, MA | $64,230 | 146.5 | $43,843 | #5 (-4) |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $62,400 | 138.5 | $45,054 | #4 (-2) |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $62,000 | 92.3 | $67,172 | #1 (+2) |
| 4 | New York, NE | $60,000 | 90.8 | $66,079 | #2 (+2) |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | $59,765 | 138.5 | $43,151 | #6 (-1) |
| 6 | Washington, DC | $58,600 | 146.0 | $40,137 | #9 (-3) |
| 7 | New York, NY | $52,000 | 125.1 | $41,567 | #7 |
| 8 | Houston, TX | $50,000 | 92.7 | $53,937 | #3 (+5) |
| 9 | Miami, FL | $42,359 | 102.8 | $41,206 | #8 (+1) |
| 10 | Flushing, NY | $40,000 | 125.1 | $31,974 | #10 |
Key Insights
- The highest nominal salary for Paralegals and Legal Assistants is in Boston, MA at $64,230, but after cost-of-living adjustment Chicago, IL offers the best purchasing power at $67,172 equivalent.
- Hidden gem: Houston, TX ranks #8 by nominal pay but climbs to #3 once cost of living is factored in (up 5 spots), making its $50,000 go a lot further.
- Beware: Boston, MA looks strong at #1 on nominal pay ($64,230) but its high cost of living drops it 4 spots to #5 on purchasing power.
Salary Check
Are you a Paralegals and Legal Assistants wondering if you are underpaid?
Compare your pay against government-filed salary data for this role.