Salary data by city

Choosing a city for your career: what matters beyond salary

When evaluating a job offer or considering a relocation, raw salary figures only tell part of the story. Three factors dramatically affect your real purchasing power: cost of living index, state income tax, and housing costs.

Cost of living index

The C2ER Cost of Living Index rates cities against a US average of 100. A city with an index of 87 (like San Antonio, TX) means everyday expenses run about 13% below the national average — effectively giving you a raise. Cities like San Francisco (224) or New York (187) consume far more of your paycheck on necessities.

State income tax

Texas, Washington, and Florida have no state income tax. For a $120,000 salary, moving from California (9.3% state tax) to Texas saves approximately $11,160 per year in state taxes alone — equivalent to a $11K raise without any change in gross salary.

Texas as a destination

Texas is the #1 net migration destination in the US. Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio all feature major corporate headquarters, a diverse economy, and the combined advantage of no state income tax and below-average cost of living relative to other major metros.