Sometimes, one of the best ways to get ahead in your career is to relocate. Depending on your career, a change of scenery can not only reset your perspective, it can also offer you a higher salary. But without careful planning, relocation may also have a negative impact on your pocket book.
Before packing your bags, it's important to ask, "What is the current cost of living rate where I'm moving?" To help you out, PayScale's prepared a few sample cost of living comparisons, to show what cities offer the best balance between salary and cost of living.
Plumber Journeyman
Where is a Plumber Journeyman's salary worth more?
A. Cleveland, OH
B. Boston, MA
A. Cleveland, OH Cost of Living
Overall, cost of living comparisons show that a Plumber Journeyman's salary is worth more in Cleveland, OH. Although the typical salary for a Plumber Journeyman in Boston, MA is $46,566, about 13% higher than in Cleveland, OH, the overall cost of living in Boston is 37% higher and the cost of housing is 86% higher.*
Software Engineer Salary
Where is a Software Engineer's salary worth more?
A. San Jose, CA
B. Atlanta, GA
B. Atlanta, GA Cost of Living
If you guessed that a Software Engineer salary is worth more in Atlanta, GA, you're correct. Sure, the typical salary for a Software Engineer in San Jose, CA is $103,068, about 18% higher than in Atlanta, GA. But according to the relocation salary calculator, the salary difference doesn't make up for the 59% higher cost of living in San Jose, CA and 166% higher cost of housing.*
Investment Banking Analyst Salary
Where is an Investment Banking Analyst's salary worth more?
A. Charlotte, NC
B. New York, NY
A. Charlotte, NC Cost of Living
Without considering the current cost of living rate, an Investment Banking Analyst in New York, NY makes $63,564, about 10% higher than in Charlotte, NC. But as you'd probably guess, the cost of living in New York, NY is remarkably higher than the cost of living in Charlotte, NC. Cost of living comparisons shows a 133% higher cost of living and 407% higher cost of housing in New York City.*
Accountant Salary
Where is an Accountant's salary worth more?
A. Honolulu, HI
B. Chicago, IL
B. Chicago, IL Cost of Living
Our relocation salary calculator shows that Accounting careers in Chicago, IL are more valuable than in Honolulu, HI. Not only is the typical salary for an Accountant in Chicago, IL of $45,135, about 3% higher than in Honolulu, HI. But the overall cost of living in Chicago is 32% lower than the cost of living in Honolulu and the cost of housing is 50% lower.*
Dental Hygienist Salary
Where is a Dental Hygienist's salary worth more?
A. Pittsburgh, PA
B. San Francisco, CA
B. Pittsburgh, PA Cost of Living
A Dental Hygienist salary is worth more in Pittsburgh, PA. The typical salary for a Dental Hygienist in San Francisco, CA is $97,431, a shocking 48% higher than the typical salary for the same job in Pittsburgh, PA. Even so, the salary difference doesn't make up for the 74% higher cost of living in San Francisco and 188% higher cost of housing.*
Registered Nurse Salary
Where is a Registered Nurse's salary worth more?
A. Los Angeles, CA
B. Raleigh, NC
B. Raleigh, NC Cost of Living
According to overall cost of living comparisons, a Registered Nurse's salary is worth more in Raleigh, NC. The typical salary for a Registered Nurse in Los Angeles, CA is $63,893, about 21% higher than in Raleigh, NC. But the overall cost of living in Los Angeles is 52% higher and the cost of housing is 177% higher than in Raleigh.
Mechanical Engineer Salary
Where is a Mechanical Engineer's salary worth more?
A. Detroit, MI
B. Denver, CO
A. Detroit, MI Cost of Living
Either way you look at it, a Mechanical Engineer's salary is higher - and worth more in Detroit, MI. The typical salary for a Mechanical Engineer in Detroit, MI is $67,230, about 11% higher than in Denver, CO. What makes Detroit the clear winner? Not only is a Mechanical Engineer's salary higher, but the cost of living comparisons show that Detroit's cost of living is 3% lower than the cost of living in Denver.
HVAC Field Service Engineer Salary
Where is a HVAC Field Service Engineer's salary worth more?
A. St. Louis, MO
B. Jacksonville, FL
B. Jacksonville, FL Cost of Living
Overall, an HVAC Field Service Engineer salary is worth more in Jacksonville, FL. The typical salary for an HVAC Field Service Engineer in Jacksonville, FL is $52,141, about 19% higher than in St. Louis, MO. Not only will you get a much higher salary for this job in Jacksonville, but the overall cost of living is only 4% higher than the cost of living in St. Louis .* Bonus: There is no state income tax in Florida.
Graphic Designer Salary
Where is a Graphic Designer's salary worth more?
A. Albuquerque, NM
B. Seattle, WA
B. Seattle, WA Cost of Living
The cost of living comparisons show that a Graphic Designer's salary is worth more in Seattle, WA. The typical salary for a Graphic Designer in Seattle, WA is $42,247, about 31% higher than in Albuquerque, NM. Even though the overall cost of living in Seattle, WA is 20% higher than the cost of living in Albuquerque, the substantial difference in salary makes Seattle the winner.* Bonus: There is no state income tax in Washington State.
Project Manager, Construction Salary
Where is a Construction Project Manger's salary worth more?
A. Anchorage, AK
B. Houston, TX
B. Houston, TX Cost of Living
On the whole, a Construction Project Manager's salary is worth more in Houston, TX. The typical salary for a Construction Project Manager in Anchorage, AK is $77,285, about 8% higher than in Houston, TX. But the relocation salary calculator shows that cost of living in Anchorage is 40% higher than the Houston cost of living, and the cost of housing is 84% higher than in Houston.*
*Typical salary does not include bonus or equity holdings; Cost of living comparisons are calculated based on C2ER data and does not include local and state taxes.
