Salary Guide
Compare median incomes across US metros. Understand where your salary goes furthest after adjusting for taxes and cost of living.
Highest Median Income Cities
These cities have the highest median household incomes, but remember — a high salary doesn't always mean high purchasing power if cost of living is also high.
| City | Median Income | COL Index | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Fremont, CA | $170,934 | 118.20 | 226,211 |
| #2 Frisco, TX | $141,129 | 103.30 | 225,009 |
| #3 San Jose, CA | $136,229 | 112.90 | 969,615 |
| #4 Irvine, CA | $127,989 | 115.50 | 314,615 |
| #5 San Francisco, CA | $126,730 | 118.20 | 808,988 |
| #6 Gilbert, AZ | $122,445 | 105.50 | 275,408 |
| #7 Seattle, WA | $120,608 | 113.00 | 755,081 |
| #8 Santa Clarita, CA | $118,489 | 115.50 | 224,039 |
| #9 McKinney, TX | $116,654 | 103.30 | 213,504 |
| #10 Plano, TX | $108,594 | 103.30 | 288,228 |
| #11 Washington, DC | $108,210 | 108.60 | 678,972 |
| #12 Chula Vista, CA | $106,623 | 111.50 | 274,344 |
| #13 Scottsdale, AZ | $106,058 | 105.50 | 244,421 |
| #14 San Diego, CA | $105,780 | 111.50 | 1,388,312 |
| #15 Chandler, AZ | $105,393 | 105.50 | 280,171 |
Best Purchasing Power
These cities offer the best ratio of income to cost of living. A dollar goes furthest here — this is where you can build wealth fastest.
Salary by State
Salaries by Occupation
See how much different professions earn. Click any occupation to see city-by-city salary comparisons.
Understanding Salary Data
What is Median Income?
Median income is the middle value — half of households earn more, half earn less. We use median instead of average because it's not skewed by ultra-high earners.
Purchasing Power
Purchasing power = Income ÷ Cost of Living Index. A $100K salary in a city with COL 150 has the same purchasing power as $66K in a city with COL 100.
Calculate Your True Take-Home
Gross salary is just the starting point. Use our calculators to see your actual take-home pay after federal, state, and local taxes.