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 | Brooklyn, NY | $45,530 | 125.1 | $36,395 | #2 (-1) |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $42,630 | 138.5 | $30,780 | #3 (-1) |
| 3 | Bronx, NY | $36,351 | 125.1 | $29,058 | #4 (-1) |
| 4 | New York, NY | $36,198 | 125.1 | $28,935 | #5 (-1) |
| 5 | Houston, TX | $34,636 | 92.7 | $37,364 | #1 (+4) |
| 6 | HINGHAM, MA | $28,000 | 146.5 | $19,113 | #7 (-1) |
| 7 | Rockville, MD | $27,893 | 116.5 | $23,942 | #6 (+1) |
| 8 | Washington, DC | $27,040 | 146.0 | $18,521 | #8 |
Key Insights
- The highest nominal salary for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education is in Brooklyn, NY at $45,530, but after cost-of-living adjustment Houston, TX offers the best purchasing power at $37,364 equivalent.
- Beware: Brooklyn, NY looks strong at #1 on nominal pay ($45,530) but its high cost of living drops it 1 spots to #2 on purchasing power.
Salary Check
Are you a Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education wondering if you are underpaid?
Compare your pay against government-filed salary data for this role.