Metropolitan & Occupation Comparison Matrix
Empirical side-by-side analysis of regional cost of living, HUD fair market rents, statutory tax burdens, and occupational compensation spread.
Featured Metro Comparisons
BLS median wage across all occupations, HUD one-bedroom Fair Market Rent, and state and local income tax on a $75,000 salary for a single filer, first metro over second.
| Comparison | Median Wage | 1BR Rent / mo | Tax on $75k | Median Buys More In |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OHvs Austin, TX | $51,340$56,950 | $1,346$1,530 | $3,162$0 | Columbus, OH +6.3% |
| New York, NYvs Miami, FL | $61,430$48,640 | $2,729$2,121 | $5,925$0 | Miami, FL +8.9% |
| San Francisco, CAvs Seattle, WA | $74,260$72,610 | $3,003$2,180 | $2,665$0 | Seattle, WA +11.1% |
| Chicago, ILvs Dallas, TX | $54,720$51,440 | $1,780$1,536 | $3,568$0 | Chicago, IL +4.0% |
| Los Angeles, CAvs Phoenix, AZ | $55,850$51,380 | $2,402$1,493 | $2,665$1,473 | Phoenix, AZ +6.3% |
| Cleveland, OHvs Pittsburgh, PA | $50,140$49,650 | $1,050$1,146 | $3,162$4,605 | Cleveland, OH +5.4% |
Featured Occupation Comparisons
National BLS OEWS median wage and employment, first occupation over second.
| Comparison | National Median | BLS Jobs | Higher Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricianvs Plumber & Pipefitter | $63,190$63,800 | 757,220465,840 | Plumber & Pipefitter +$610 (1.0%) |
| Software Engineervs Data Scientist | $135,980$120,230 | 1,687,890262,440 | Software Engineer +$15,750 (13.1%) |
| Registered Nurse (RN)vs Dental Hygienist | $97,550$98,100 | 3,379,720222,740 | Dental Hygienist +$550 (0.6%) |
| Accountant & Auditorvs Financial Analyst | $83,680$102,740 | 1,449,500361,980 | Financial Analyst +$19,060 (22.8%) |
| HVAC/R Technicianvs Electrician | $61,010$63,190 | 409,670757,220 | Electrician +$2,180 (3.6%) |
How the comparisons are calculated
Metro comparisons use each area's BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage across all occupations, HUD's FY2027 one-bedroom Fair Market Rent, and the state and local income tax a single filer owes on $75,000 under 2026 rules. "Median buys more in" divides each median by the area's living-cost index from the EPI Family Budget Calculator; it reads "Not published" where BLS or EPI publishes no figure for the area.
Occupation comparisons use national BLS OEWS medians and job counts. Each comparison page goes further: the occupations both metros publish wages for, or each occupation's 10th to 90th percentile pay and the metros where both are published. Pick any two metros or occupations above to build your own comparison.
Executive Takeaway & Purchasing Power Verdict
Comparative summary loading...
Side-by-Side Compensation Matrix
Direct compensation differentials across shared occupations or regional markets.
| Category / Role | Side A Pay | Side B Pay | Advantage Delta | Action |
|---|
Head-to-Head Comparison Frequently Asked Questions
Compare wages, living expenses and income tax side by side for any two U.S. metro areas or occupations, from BLS wages, HUD rents and 2026 tax rules.