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 | Placentia, CA | $83,200 | 138.5 | $60,072 | #4 (-3) |
| 2 | Pleasanton, CA | $75,858 | 138.5 | $54,771 | #5 (-3) |
| 3 | Gilroy, CA | $73,798 | 138.5 | $53,284 | #6 (-3) |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $73,798 | 138.5 | $53,284 | #7 (-3) |
| 5 | Detroit, MI | $70,720 | 90.6 | $78,057 | #1 (+4) |
| 6 | Houston, TX | $70,000 | 92.7 | $75,512 | #2 (+4) |
| 7 | Fremont, CA | $68,500 | 138.5 | $49,458 | #10 (-3) |
| 8 | Chino, CA | $67,954 | 138.5 | $49,064 | #11 (-3) |
| 9 | Fontana, CA | $67,049 | 138.5 | $48,411 | #12 (-3) |
| 10 | Redwood City, CA | $66,747 | 138.5 | $48,193 | #13 (-3) |
| 11 | Jacksonville, FL | $66,300 | 102.8 | $64,494 | #3 (+8) |
| 12 | MORENO VALLEY, CA | $66,144 | 138.5 | $47,757 | #15 (-3) |
| 13 | Hayward, CA | $66,000 | 138.5 | $47,653 | #16 (-3) |
| 14 | New York, NY | $65,000 | 125.1 | $51,958 | #8 (+6) |
| 15 | Los Angeles, CA | $65,000 | 138.5 | $46,931 | #17 (-2) |
| 16 | Riverside, CA | $64,854 | 138.5 | $46,826 | #18 (-2) |
| 17 | FOREST HILLS, NY | $63,690 | 125.1 | $50,911 | #9 (+8) |
| 18 | Whittier, CA | $63,482 | 138.5 | $45,835 | #19 (-1) |
| 19 | Vacaville, CA | $61,942 | 138.5 | $44,723 | #20 (-1) |
| 20 | Diamond Bar, CA | $60,632 | 138.5 | $43,778 | #21 (-1) |
| 21 | Long Island City, NY | $59,904 | 125.1 | $47,885 | #14 (+7) |
Key Insights
- The highest nominal salary for Speech-Language Pathologists is in Placentia, CA at $83,200, but after cost-of-living adjustment Detroit, MI offers the best purchasing power at $78,057 equivalent.
- Hidden gem: Jacksonville, FL ranks #11 by nominal pay but climbs to #3 once cost of living is factored in (up 8 spots), making its $66,300 go a lot further.
- Beware: Placentia, CA looks strong at #1 on nominal pay ($83,200) but its high cost of living drops it 3 spots to #4 on purchasing power.
Salary Check
Are you a Speech-Language Pathologists wondering if you are underpaid?
Compare your pay against government-filed salary data for this role.