That tempting big salary might not be all it seems. That’s because places where pay is high tend to be more expensive. Jobs offer a premium in the Bay Area, Boston, Washington and New York. But those extra dollars go right back out to pay for higher rents and pricier meals. Adjusted for living costs, salaries are highest not in the big coastal metros, but in less attention-getting locales like Brownsville, TX, Kingsport, TN, and Huntington, WV.

But before you reserve that one-way U-Haul to take you to Kingsport, know this: places where adjusted salaries are higher often serve up other challenges. They tend to have higher unemployment today and are projected to have slower job growth. If you want it all — high adjusted salaries, low unemployment today and good future prospects — look instead at Duluth, MN, Wilmington, NC, and Lubbock, TX.

And let’s be realistic. You might not want to trek across the country, far from family, friends or weather you love, to a place where jobs in your field are scarce. That’s fine. You can probably move somewhere not too far away with a similar mix of jobs and boost your standard of living at the same time — for example, by relocating from Tampa to Birmingham or from San Diego to Sacramento. Most places have relatively close-by sister cities where adjusted salaries are at least a bit higher.

Where adjusted salaries are highest

Before adjusting for cost of living, America’s highest salaries are in metro San Jose, the heart of Silicon Valley. To see this, we calculated the average salary for all Indeed job postings between July 2017 and June 2018 that included information on annual salaries, accounting for differences in the local job mix. For the same occupations, salaries are on average 19% higher in San Francisco than in San Antonio and 18% higher in Boston than in Cleveland.

But San Antonio and Cleveland are cheaper than San Francisco and Boston. Housing costs less, as do other goods and services. Adjusted for living costs, salaries are actually 11% higher in San Antonio than in San Francisco and 5% higher in Cleveland than in Boston.

Among the 185 US metropolitan areas with at least 250,000 people, salaries adjusted for living costs are highest in Brownsville-Harlingen, TX, Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA, and Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH. Of the top 10, only Birmingham-Hoover has more than a million people. Larger metros have higher unadjusted salaries, but much higher living costs than smaller metros. As a result, adjusted salaries tend to be higher in smaller metros. The million-plus metros with the highest adjusted salaries are Birmingham-Hoover, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Memphis, and San Antonio.

Metros with highest adjusted salaries

Annual salaries in job postings (Indeed), adjusted by cost of living (BEA)

Metro	Adjusted salary, $	Unadjusted salary, $
Brownsville-Harlingen, TX	80,880	67,778
Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA	80,061	68,132
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH	79,028	67,964
Merced, CA	78,983	74,323
Spartanburg, SC	78,121	68,512
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC	76,833	66,614
Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS	76,386	68,136
Toledo, OH	76,375	67,745
Birmingham-Hoover, AL	76,142	67,614
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI	75,942	67,361
Duluth, MN-WI	75,910	68,547
Lynchburg, VA	75,871	68,132
Fayetteville, NC	75,786	68,132
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX	75,712	67,989
Montgomery, AL	75,670	67,422
Rockford, IL	75,476	67,853
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC	74,977	66,205
El Paso, TX	74,462	66,048
Wichita, KS	74,375	67,086
Green Bay, WI	74,363	67,745
Fort Smith, AR-OK	74,357	62,906
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	74,035	66,335
Flint, MI	73,878	66,786
Mobile, AL	73,817	64,516
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA	73,816	68,132
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX	73,675	62,256
Killeen-Temple, TX	73,604	67,421
Jackson, MS	73,566	66,283
Modesto, CA	73,469	71,853
Corpus Christi, TX	73,327	68,487
Binghamton, NY	73,218	70,217
Amarillo, TX	73,107	67,989
Dayton, OH	73,020	65,718
Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC	72,974	65,385
Salisbury, MD-DE	72,859	65,063
Lexington-Fayette, KY	72,786	66,453
Bakersfield, CA	72,775	70,374
Erie, PA	72,731	67,421
Shreveport-Bossier City, LA	72,689	65,347
Winston-Salem, NC	72,650	64,659
Cedar Rapids, IA	72,611	64,841
Visalia-Porterville, CA	72,580	68,516
Knoxville, TN	72,537	64,195
Huntsville, AL	72,530	64,841
Wilmington, NC	72,392	67,614
Roanoke, VA	72,344	65,326
Lubbock, TX	72,340	67,421
Columbia, SC	72,259	66,333
Cleveland-Elyria, OH	72,176	65,103
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	72,175	65,679
Akron, OH	72,046	64,841
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	72,022	67,989
Clarksville, TN-KY	71,944	65,037
Fort Wayne, IN	71,922	64,658
Lansing-East Lansing, MI	71,753	66,731
Utica-Rome, NY	71,721	67,202
St. Louis, MO-IL	71,681	65,086
Fresno, CA	71,654	69,003
Springfield, MO	71,647	62,906
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA	71,553	72,984
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN	71,437	66,293
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	71,288	67,866
Ocala, FL	71,231	64,250
Reading, PA	71,222	68,516
Salinas, CA	71,183	76,949
Greensboro-High Point, NC	70,972	63,733
Lafayette, LA	70,958	62,940
Tulsa, OK	70,908	64,313
Laredo, TX	70,906	63,177
Chattanooga, TN-GA	70,902	63,316
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR	70,786	64,061
Columbus, GA-AL	70,747	63,177
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	70,724	67,612
Evansville, IN-KY	70,668	63,177
Albuquerque, NM	70,601	67,989
Salem, OR	70,589	67,695
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO	70,589	63,177
Peoria, IL	70,504	64,018
Springfield, MA	70,415	68,584
Baton Rouge, LA	70,263	65,345
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI	70,243	64,061
Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA	70,233	61,454
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	70,200	67,322
Kennewick-Richland, WA	70,171	68,136
New Orleans-Metairie, LA	70,095	66,731
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	70,041	63,177
Gainesville, FL	69,993	66,004
Columbus, OH	69,960	65,063
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	69,895	65,352
Asheville, NC	69,803	64,637
Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV	69,640	68,108
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	69,621	67,045
Waco, TX	69,521	63,681
Boise City, ID	69,465	65,853
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	69,425	63,177
Canton-Massillon, OH	69,361	61,454
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA	69,290	64,717
Oklahoma City, OK	69,240	63,424
Reno, NV	69,222	68,322
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	69,188	65,867
Ogden-Clearfield, UT	69,136	65,748
Stockton-Lodi, CA	69,112	68,836
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	68,923	65,064
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	68,886	76,532
Richmond, VA	68,737	66,056
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	68,718	68,512
Worcester, MA-CT	68,699	71,173
Norwich-New London, CT	68,696	69,383
Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI	68,695	64,230
Rochester, NY	68,490	67,121
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	68,374	69,400
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA	68,264	65,943
Raleigh, NC	68,165	65,371
Portland-South Portland, ME	68,120	69,278
York-Hanover, PA	68,102	65,718
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL	68,079	64,947
Savannah, GA	68,022	63,669
Lincoln, NE	68,006	62,906
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL	67,960	62,727
Kansas City, MO-KS	67,663	63,400
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	67,581	64,810
Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV	67,408	67,745
Austin-Round Rock, TX	67,361	67,361
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	67,287	67,421
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL	67,285	62,508
Lancaster, PA	67,180	66,777
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	67,180	68,322
Manchester-Nashua, NH	66,897	72,584
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	66,804	69,343
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	66,774	84,870
Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY	66,772	63,033
Ann Arbor, MI	66,753	67,954
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	66,600	66,866
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	66,580	67,112
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX	66,378	67,440
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA	66,296	71,003
Pittsburgh, PA	66,286	62,508
Provo-Orem, UT	66,179	64,061
Salt Lake City, UT	66,145	65,748
Jacksonville, FL	66,118	63,341
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	66,104	67,625
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ	66,083	64,167
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL	65,982	63,079
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ	65,832	68,136
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	65,796	62,178
Tallahassee, FL	65,726	61,125
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC	65,542	64,165
Syracuse, NY	65,421	63,262
Eugene, OR	65,379	63,941
Tucson, AZ	65,249	62,508
Madison, WI	65,236	63,736
Colorado Springs, CO	65,234	64,973
Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL	65,093	65,679
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA	64,873	80,896
Greeley, CO	64,367	63,852
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	64,216	70,959
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	64,190	62,906
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO	64,141	67,989
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	64,093	67,874
Bremerton-Silverdale, WA	64,034	68,132
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	63,935	70,008
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	63,910	68,512
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	63,795	68,516
Charleston-North Charleston, SC	63,637	61,219
Port St. Lucie, FL	63,543	61,446
New Haven-Milford, CT	63,417	70,647
Fort Collins, CO	63,233	64,434
Anchorage, AK	63,036	68,836
Trenton, NJ	62,354	69,400
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	62,184	62,060
Boulder, CO	61,851	67,356
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	61,847	72,794
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	61,720	73,509
Vallejo-Fairfield, CA	61,628	72,474
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT	61,624	74,011
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL	61,294	60,681
Olympia-Tumwater, WA	61,251	65,478
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC	61,104	55,666
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA	60,830	70,745
Santa Rosa, CA	60,691	73,436
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA	60,043	73,252
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	59,412	63,928
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	59,184	69,363
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	58,328	72,794
Urban Honolulu, HI	53,642	66,731

Adjusted salaries are lowest in Honolulu, Santa Cruz, CA, Oxnard, CA, Miami, and New York. It’s no coincidence that these are all desirable spots for weather, recreation or lifestyle. Many people are willing to give up some income or pay more for housing to live in places with such amenities. In fact, classical urban economics models interpret low adjusted salaries as an indicator of high local quality of life. That’s something to consider before moving someplace where adjusted salaries are high, but amenities are fewer.

Not just money: higher salaries and opportunities today and tomorrow

Even if you’re only considering economic factors when choosing a new hometown, don’t stop at adjusted salaries. Unless you’ve already got a secure job in hand, you should consider the ease of finding a job today and the odds of having one in the future.

Strikingly, places with high adjusted salaries fare poorly both in terms of job prospects today and tomorrow. First, local unemployment rates tend to be higher in metros with higher adjusted salaries. In June 2018, unemployment was more than 8% in Merced and nearly 7% in Brownsville-Harlingen, TX — well above the 4.2% national rate without seasonal adjustment.

Second, projected job growth is lower in metros with higher adjusted salaries. Among the top 10 metros for adjusted salaries, projected job growth based on local occupation mix is particularly low in Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA, Spartanburg, SC, and Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC. Projected job growth is highest in large coastal metros, which tend to be expensive and have lower adjusted salaries.

So let’s take another look at the top metros for adjusted salaries, excluding those that are worse than average for either current unemployment or projected job growth. None of the overall top 10 make the cut. The top 10 metros for adjusted salaries with better-than-average unemployment today and future growth prospects comprise an entirely different list. Duluth, MN-WI, Wilmington, NC, and Lubbock, TX, offer the highest cost-adjusted pay as well as good job opportunities today and tomorrow. Several large metros are also on this list.

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Higher salaries without too much change

Much as we love top 10 lists, we know that your number one might not be my number one. For instance, St. Louis may have high adjusted salaries, low unemployment, and strong future growth, but it has relatively few job postings for economists — and I’m not looking to make a career change. And Duluth might be a tough sell for someone used to mild California winters.

Still, there’s often another local market out there with higher adjusted salaries and a similar job mix that’s not too far away. To flesh that out, we looked for the biggest differences in adjusted salaries for pairs of metros that are less than 500 miles apart and have at least a 75% overlap in their mix of job postings. At the top: Birmingham’s adjusted salaries are 22% higher than Tampa’s, and Sacramento’s are 21% above Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura’s.

Biggest adjusted-salary gaps between pairs of nearby similar metros

Annual salaries by metro ( Indeed )

Higher Adusted Salary of the Pair	Lower adjusted salary of the pair	Difference in Adjusted Salaries
Birmingham-Hoover, AL	Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	22.4%
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA	Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	20.9%
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA	San Diego-Carlsbad, CA	17.6%
Columbia, SC	Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	16.2%
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA	Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	15.7%
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	15.5%
Birmingham-Hoover, AL	Jacksonville, FL	15.2%
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA	14.7%
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA	13.9%
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	13.7%
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	Madison, WI	13.5%
Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV	Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	12.6%
Fresno, CA	Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	12.3%
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA	Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	12.2%
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	12.0%
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT	11.8%
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	Pittsburgh, PA	11.7%
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	11.6%
Jacksonville, FL	Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	11.3%
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL	North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL	11.1%
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT	11.0%
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	10.8%
Birmingham-Hoover, AL	Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	10.5%
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL	10.3%
Wichita, KS	Kansas City, MO-KS	9.9%
St. Louis, MO-IL	Madison, WI	9.9%
Brownsville-Harlingen, TX	McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX	9.8%
Birmingham-Hoover, AL	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	9.7%
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	9.5%
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	9.4%
Birmingham-Hoover, AL	Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	9.4%
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	9.4%
Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV	Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	9.2%
Columbus, OH	Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	9.2%
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	9.1%
St. Louis, MO-IL	Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	8.9%
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	8.9%
Cleveland-Elyria, OH	Pittsburgh, PA	8.9%
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX	8.7%
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	8.7%
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ	San Diego-Carlsbad, CA	8.6%
Birmingham-Hoover, AL	New Orleans-Metairie, LA	8.6%
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX	8.5%
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	8.5%
St. Louis, MO-IL	Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	8.4%
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	Madison, WI	8.4%
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	New Haven-Milford, CT	8.4%
Worcester, MA-CT	New Haven-Milford, CT	8.3%
Greensboro-High Point, NC	Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC	8.3%
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	Rochester, NY	8.1%
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	8.0%
Cleveland-Elyria, OH	Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	8.0%
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA	Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO	8.0%
Jacksonville, FL	North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL	7.9%
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	New Haven-Milford, CT	7.8%
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	7.8%
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	7.8%
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI	7.8%
Birmingham-Hoover, AL	Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR	7.6%
Richmond, VA	Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	7.6%
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	7.5%
Wichita, KS	Oklahoma City, OK	7.4%
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	7.4%
Birmingham-Hoover, AL	Chattanooga, TN-GA	7.4%
Greensboro-High Point, NC	Jacksonville, FL	7.3%
St. Louis, MO-IL	Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	7.3%
Birmingham-Hoover, AL	Greensboro-High Point, NC	7.3%
Richmond, VA	Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	7.2%
Columbus, OH	Madison, WI	7.2%
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	7.2%
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL	Port St. Lucie, FL	7.1%
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	7.0%
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	7.0%
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	7.0%
Reading, PA	Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	7.0%
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	Austin-Round Rock, TX	6.9%
Savannah, GA	Charleston-North Charleston, SC	6.9%
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ	Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	6.8%
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA	6.7%
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	Pittsburgh, PA	6.7%
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	6.7%
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	Kansas City, MO-KS	6.7%
Raleigh, NC	Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	6.7%
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA	San Diego-Carlsbad, CA	6.6%
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC	6.6%
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	6.6%
Birmingham-Hoover, AL	Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN	6.6%
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA	Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	6.5%
Raleigh, NC	Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	6.4%
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	6.3%
Jacksonville, FL	Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	6.3%
Birmingham-Hoover, AL	St. Louis, MO-IL	6.2%
Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL	North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL	6.2%
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL	Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	6.1%
Toledo, OH	Akron, OH	6.0%
St. Louis, MO-IL	Kansas City, MO-KS	5.9%
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	5.9%
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	Pittsburgh, PA	5.9%
Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC	Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	5.9%
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	5.9%
Baton Rouge, LA	Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX	5.9%
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	Columbus, OH	5.8%
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	Jacksonville, FL	5.7%
New Orleans-Metairie, LA	Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX	5.6%
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI	Fort Wayne, IN	5.6%
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN	Kansas City, MO-KS	5.6%
Columbus, OH	Pittsburgh, PA	5.5%
Birmingham-Hoover, AL	Memphis, TN-MS-AR	5.5%
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	5.5%
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	Pittsburgh, PA	5.4%
Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV	Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ	5.4%
Birmingham-Hoover, AL	Columbia, SC	5.4%
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA	Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	5.3%
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	Jacksonville, FL	5.3%
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	5.3%
Columbia, SC	Richmond, VA	5.1%
Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	5.1%
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	San Diego-Carlsbad, CA	5.1%
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	5.1%
Cleveland-Elyria, OH	Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI	5.1%
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA	Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	4.9%
Wichita, KS	Tulsa, OK	4.9%
Akron, OH	Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI	4.9%
Richmond, VA	Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC	4.9%
Lexington-Fayette, KY	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	4.8%
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA	Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	4.8%
Tulsa, OK	Kansas City, MO-KS	4.8%
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL	4.7%
Columbus, OH	Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	4.7%
Cleveland-Elyria, OH	Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	4.7%
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	4.7%
Rochester, NY	Syracuse, NY	4.7%
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	4.7%
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	4.7%
Ocala, FL	Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL	4.6%
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	4.6%
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	Kansas City, MO-KS	4.5%
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	4.5%
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	Chattanooga, TN-GA	4.4%
Birmingham-Hoover, AL	Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC	4.3%
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	Greensboro-High Point, NC	4.3%
Oklahoma City, OK	Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX	4.3%
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	Jacksonville, FL	4.2%
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	Oklahoma City, OK	4.2%
Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY	Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	4.2%
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	Oklahoma City, OK	4.0%
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT	4.0%
St. Louis, MO-IL	Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	4.0%
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	Pittsburgh, PA	4.0%
Cleveland-Elyria, OH	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	4.0%
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	4.0%
Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI	Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	3.9%
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	3.9%
Jacksonville, FL	Charleston-North Charleston, SC	3.9%
Akron, OH	Canton-Massillon, OH	3.9%
Trenton, NJ	New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA	3.8%
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL	3.8%
Akron, OH	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	3.8%
Kansas City, MO-KS	Madison, WI	3.7%
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO	Boulder, CO	3.7%
Port St. Lucie, FL	North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL	3.7%
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	3.7%
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	Pittsburgh, PA	3.7%
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN	Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	3.6%
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN	3.6%
Fort Wayne, IN	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	3.6%
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	3.5%
St. Louis, MO-IL	Oklahoma City, OK	3.5%
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	Vallejo-Fairfield, CA	3.5%
Birmingham-Hoover, AL	Jackson, MS	3.5%
St. Louis, MO-IL	Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA	3.5%
Pittsburgh, PA	Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	3.4%
Boise City, ID	Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	3.4%
Columbia, SC	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	3.4%
Rochester, NY	Pittsburgh, PA	3.3%
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	St. Louis, MO-IL	3.3%
Cleveland-Elyria, OH	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	3.3%
Greensboro-High Point, NC	Richmond, VA	3.3%
St. Louis, MO-IL	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	3.2%
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	3.2%
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	3.2%
Richmond, VA	Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	3.2%
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	3.2%
Cleveland-Elyria, OH	Columbus, OH	3.2%
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL	Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	3.2%
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	3.2%
Salt Lake City, UT	Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO	3.1%
Jacksonville, FL	Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	3.0%
Akron, OH	Columbus, OH	3.0%
Greensboro-High Point, NC	Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	3.0%
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	New Orleans-Metairie, LA	3.0%
St. Louis, MO-IL	Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	3.0%
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI	3.0%
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA	2.9%
Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC	Chattanooga, TN-GA	2.9%
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY	2.9%
Oklahoma City, OK	Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	2.9%
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	2.9%
Chattanooga, TN-GA	Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	2.9%
Birmingham-Hoover, AL	Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	2.8%
Rochester, NY	Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	2.8%
Kansas City, MO-KS	Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	2.8%
Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC	Greensboro-High Point, NC	2.8%
Cleveland-Elyria, OH	Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	2.8%
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA	2.8%
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA	Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	2.8%
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	Akron, OH	2.8%
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA	Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV	2.7%
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	Manchester-Nashua, NH	2.7%
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT	New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA	2.6%
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	2.6%
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN	Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	2.6%
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	Kansas City, MO-KS	2.6%
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	Memphis, TN-MS-AR	2.6%
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	Cleveland-Elyria, OH	2.6%
Rochester, NY	Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY	2.6%
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	Raleigh, NC	2.5%
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA	Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	2.5%
Springfield, MA	Worcester, MA-CT	2.5%
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	Rochester, NY	2.5%
Springfield, MA	Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	2.5%
St. Louis, MO-IL	Columbus, OH	2.5%
Tulsa, OK	Oklahoma City, OK	2.4%
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA	Kansas City, MO-KS	2.4%
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	Madison, WI	2.4%
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY	2.4%
Winston-Salem, NC	Greensboro-High Point, NC	2.4%
Kansas City, MO-KS	Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	2.4%
Oklahoma City, OK	Kansas City, MO-KS	2.3%
Knoxville, TN	Chattanooga, TN-GA	2.3%
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR	Oklahoma City, OK	2.2%
Greensboro-High Point, NC	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	2.2%
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	Jacksonville, FL	2.2%
Lansing-East Lansing, MI	Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	2.2%
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI	2.2%
Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC	Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN	2.2%
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	Raleigh, NC	2.1%
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	Richmond, VA	2.1%
Chattanooga, TN-GA	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	2.1%
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN	Columbus, OH	2.1%
St. Louis, MO-IL	Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	2.1%
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA	2.1%
Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY	Syracuse, NY	2.1%
Cleveland-Elyria, OH	Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	2.1%
Greensboro-High Point, NC	Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	1.9%
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	1.9%
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	Kansas City, MO-KS	1.9%
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	1.9%
Columbus, OH	Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI	1.8%
Columbia, SC	Greensboro-High Point, NC	1.8%
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	Syracuse, NY	1.8%
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	Chattanooga, TN-GA	1.8%
Columbus, OH	Richmond, VA	1.8%
New Orleans-Metairie, LA	Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	1.7%
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	Richmond, VA	1.7%
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	San Diego-Carlsbad, CA	1.7%
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	Tulsa, OK	1.6%
Greensboro-High Point, NC	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	1.5%
Columbus, OH	Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	1.5%
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	Raleigh, NC	1.5%
Austin-Round Rock, TX	Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX	1.5%
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC	1.5%
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL	1.5%
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	1.4%
York-Hanover, PA	Lancaster, PA	1.4%
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX	1.4%
St. Louis, MO-IL	Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	1.4%
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	Madison, WI	1.3%
Kansas City, MO-KS	Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	1.3%
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	Richmond, VA	1.3%
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ	Tucson, AZ	1.3%
Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA	Canton-Massillon, OH	1.3%
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL	Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL	1.2%
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	1.1%
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	Columbus, OH	1.1%
St. Louis, MO-IL	Tulsa, OK	1.1%
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	New Haven-Milford, CT	1.1%
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI	1.1%
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	1.1%
Cleveland-Elyria, OH	Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN	1.0%
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN	1.0%
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	1.0%
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN	Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	1.0%
Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC	Columbia, SC	1.0%
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	Charleston-North Charleston, SC	0.9%
Akron, OH	Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN	0.9%
Richmond, VA	Raleigh, NC	0.8%
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	Pittsburgh, PA	0.8%
Columbus, OH	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	0.8%
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN	Chattanooga, TN-GA	0.8%
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	0.7%
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	0.7%
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL	Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	0.7%
Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY	Pittsburgh, PA	0.7%
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	0.7%
Cleveland-Elyria, OH	St. Louis, MO-IL	0.7%
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	St. Louis, MO-IL	0.7%
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	0.7%
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA	0.7%
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN	Greensboro-High Point, NC	0.7%
Birmingham-Hoover, AL	Montgomery, AL	0.6%
Kansas City, MO-KS	Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	0.6%
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	0.5%
Columbus, OH	Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	0.5%
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	0.4%
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	Columbus, OH	0.3%
St. Louis, MO-IL	Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN	0.3%
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	0.3%
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	0.3%
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	0.2%
Baton Rouge, LA	New Orleans-Metairie, LA	0.2%
Cleveland-Elyria, OH	Akron, OH	0.2%
Tulsa, OK	Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR	0.2%
Fresno, CA	Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA	0.1%
Austin-Round Rock, TX	Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	0.1%
Columbus, OH	Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	0.1%
Salt Lake City, UT	Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ	0.1%
Provo-Orem, UT	Salt Lake City, UT	0.1%
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	Worcester, MA-CT	0.0%
Worcester, MA-CT	Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	0.0%

These are moves that get you a higher standard of living and similar job opportunities — all just a short flight or day’s drive away. Those adjusted-salary differences might sound small relative to the gap between extremes: Brownsville’s adjusted salaries are 51% higher than Honolulu’s, and Kingsport’s are 37% higher than those in Santa Cruz. But you’d need to move a long distance to a very different labor market — and hope to find a job that fits you — in order to claim that higher standard of living. All else equal, a higher adjusted salary is better than a lower one. But in job hunting — like so many other things — all else is never equal.

Methodology

Salary data are from all job postings with annual salaries on Indeed between July 2017 and June 2018. Unadjusted average salaries are based on weighted median deviations across occupations, which accounts for the different mix of job titles across metros in order to make an apples-to-apples comparison of unadjusted salaries.

Local cost-of-living data are from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities for 2016, released May 2018. These cost-of-living data reflect local differences in the price of housing, other services, and physical goods. Unemployment data are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and are not seasonally adjusted, unlike the published headline rate. Projected job growth is from Indeed’s analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics projections.

All 185 U.S. metropolitan areas with at least 250,000 people are included in the rankings.

Distances between metros are great-circle distances between population-weighted metro centroids, which tend to be a bit shorter than actual driving distances.

Unadjusted and adjusted salary data in this blogpost should not be compared with salary data from last year’s blogpost on this topic. The occupational composition of job postings with annual salaries changes over time. Our methodology adjusts for differences in occupational composition across metros at a point in time, but not for differences in occupational composition over time.