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 | $37,500 | 125.1 | $29,976 | #1 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $32,240 | 125.1 | $25,771 | #3 (-1) |
| 3 | Randolph, MA | $32,240 | 146.5 | $22,007 | #4 (-1) |
| 4 | Great Barrington, MA | $32,136 | 146.5 | $21,936 | #5 (-1) |
| 5 | LENOX, MA | $31,408 | 146.5 | $21,439 | #6 (-1) |
| 6 | Rutland, MA | $28,163 | 146.5 | $19,224 | #7 (-1) |
| 7 | West Chester, PA | $27,331 | 95.6 | $28,589 | #2 (+5) |
Key Insights
- The highest nominal salary for Rehabilitation Counselors is in Brooklyn, NY at $37,500, but after cost-of-living adjustment Brooklyn, NY offers the best purchasing power at $29,976 equivalent.
- Hidden gem: West Chester, PA ranks #7 by nominal pay but climbs to #2 once cost of living is factored in (up 5 spots), making its $27,331 go a lot further.
- Beware: New York, NY looks strong at #2 on nominal pay ($32,240) but its high cost of living drops it 1 spots to #3 on purchasing power.
Salary Check
Are you a Rehabilitation Counselors wondering if you are underpaid?
Compare your pay against government-filed salary data for this role.