Methodology

SalaryWorthIt shows you what a salary actually means in different U.S. cities. This page explains how we calculate take-home pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and what assumptions underpin every number on the site.

Data sources

• Wages - U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 reference period, accessed via the public BLS API. We use the metro-area median annual wage for each occupation.
• Cost of living - U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (RPP), latest available year. RPPs measure how much more or less goods and services cost in a metro compared to the national average (100).
• Tax rates - IRS 2026 federal brackets (October 2025 release, including OBBB standard deduction). State tax rates use the latest published schedules (2025 tax year; Pennsylvania uses the 3.0% rate effective 2026).

Take-home pay calculation

We model a single filer with no dependents, taking the standard deduction, whose entire income is wages. All numbers are annual and calculated before any retirement contributions, health insurance premiums, or other pre-tax deductions.

Federal income tax

2026 brackets for single filers with a standard deduction of $16,100. Taxable income = gross wages minus the standard deduction. Marginal rates: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37%.

FICA (Social Security + Medicare)

• Social Security: 6.2% on earnings up to $184,500
• Medicare: 1.45% on all wages
• Additional Medicare Surtax: 0.9% on wages over $200,000

State income tax

Modeled per state for single filers using the standard deduction. Texas, Florida, and Washington have no state income tax. States with progressive tax systems (New York, California, Arizona, Minnesota, Oregon) use their full bracket schedules. Flat-tax states (Colorado, North Carolina, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia) apply a single rate.

What we don't model

• Local city or county income taxes
• Property taxes
• Sales tax
• 401(k) / HSA / other pre-tax deductions
• Health insurance premiums
• Tax credits (Earned Income Credit, Child Tax Credit, etc.)
• Capital gains, self-employment, or investment income

When your situation differs from this model, treat the numbers as a starting estimate, not a guarantee. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.

Cost-of-living adjustment

The "COL-adjusted buying power" figure answers: what is this take-home pay actually worth locally?

We divide take-home pay by the metro's RPP (expressed as a decimal). A metro with RPP 115 means goods and services cost 15% more than the national average. A $60,000 take-home in that city has the same buying power as ~$52,174 at the national average.

We also show rent-adjusted buying power using BEA's rents-only RPP component, which captures housing cost differences more precisely. Rents vary more between cities than overall prices, so this number often differs significantly from the all-items adjustment.

Metro coverage

We cover 20 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) across the U.S. Each metro is identified by its CBSA code from the Office of Management and Budget. When the BLS does not publish a median for a particular metro (it suppresses data for small sample sizes or confidentiality), we leave that city's wage blank on the page rather than substituting the national average.

Limitations

• OEWS medians lag roughly 9 months behind the calendar year.
• RPP data is released annually and may not reflect recent price changes.
• COL numbers are metro-wide averages; individual neighborhoods can differ substantially.
• Our tax model is simplified - your actual tax liability may differ.
• This is not tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional for your situation.

Questions?

If you spot an error or have questions about our methodology, reach out at hello@salaryworthit.pages.dev.