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 | Modesto, CA | $99,840 | 138.5 | $72,087 | #18 (-17) |
| 2 | Salinas, CA | $91,800 | 138.5 | $66,282 | #20 (-18) |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $91,520 | 138.5 | $66,079 | #21 (-18) |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $89,720 | 138.5 | $64,780 | #23 (-19) |
| 5 | Hayward, CA | $89,440 | 138.5 | $64,578 | #24 (-19) |
| 6 | Jackson, MI | $89,440 | 90.6 | $98,720 | #1 (+5) |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $87,360 | 138.5 | $63,076 | #25 (-18) |
| 8 | Oakland, CA | $86,965 | 138.5 | $62,790 | #26 (-18) |
| 9 | Fremont, CA | $86,819 | 138.5 | $62,685 | #27 (-18) |
| 10 | Sunnyvale, CA | $83,200 | 138.5 | $60,072 | #28 (-18) |
| 11 | Placentia, CA | $83,200 | 138.5 | $60,072 | #29 (-18) |
| 12 | Okemos, MI | $83,200 | 90.6 | $91,832 | #2 (+10) |
| 13 | New York, NE | $81,640 | 90.8 | $89,912 | #3 (+10) |
| 14 | Kalamazoo, MI | $80,013 | 90.6 | $88,315 | #4 (+10) |
| 15 | Evansville, IN | $79,520 | 91.0 | $87,385 | #6 (+9) |
| 16 | Clinton Township, MI | $79,270 | 90.6 | $87,494 | #5 (+11) |
| 17 | Washington, DC | $79,165 | 146.0 | $54,223 | #30 (-13) |
| 18 | Muncie, IN | $79,040 | 91.0 | $86,857 | #8 (+10) |
| 19 | Detroit, MI | $79,040 | 90.6 | $87,241 | #7 (+12) |
| 20 | Lafayette, IN | $78,780 | 91.0 | $86,571 | #9 (+11) |
| 21 | Edison, NJ | $78,707 | 113.7 | $69,224 | #19 (+2) |
| 22 | DALLAS, TX | $78,000 | 92.7 | $84,142 | #12 (+10) |
| 23 | Livingston, TX | $77,917 | 92.7 | $84,053 | #14 (+9) |
| 24 | Dearborn, MI | $77,116 | 90.6 | $85,117 | #10 (+14) |
| 25 | #47644 MI METRO DIVISION, MI | $76,960 | 90.6 | $84,945 | #11 (+14) |
| 26 | Silver Spring, MD | $76,606 | 116.5 | $65,756 | #22 (+4) |
| 27 | Warren, MI | $76,190 | 90.6 | $84,095 | #13 (+14) |
| 28 | Laredo, TX | $75,109 | 92.7 | $81,024 | #17 (+11) |
| 29 | Ann Arbor, MI | $75,067 | 90.6 | $82,856 | #15 (+14) |
| 30 | Royal Oak, MI | $75,000 | 90.6 | $82,781 | #16 (+14) |
Key Insights
- The highest nominal salary for Physical Therapists is in Modesto, CA at $99,840, but after cost-of-living adjustment Jackson, MI offers the best purchasing power at $98,720 equivalent.
- Hidden gem: Dearborn, MI ranks #24 by nominal pay but climbs to #10 once cost of living is factored in (up 14 spots), making its $77,116 go a lot further.
- Beware: San Jose, CA looks strong at #4 on nominal pay ($89,720) but its high cost of living drops it 19 spots to #23 on purchasing power.
Salary Check
Are you a Physical Therapists wondering if you are underpaid?
Compare your pay against government-filed salary data for this role.