Methodology
salary.city combines public government datasets with clearly labeled assumptions and projections. Here's what each result can and cannot claim.
Data Sources
| Dataset | Source | Update Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| Occupation Wages | Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | Annual (May release) |
| Tech Offers (H-1B) | U.S. Department of Labor — OFLC LCA Disclosures | Annual |
| Cost of Living | Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional Price Parities (RPP) | Annual |
| Housing (Rent) | U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD FMR) | Annual (FY2026 where imported) |
| Tax Rates | IRS.gov + State Revenue Departments | Federal/FICA profile: 2026; state layer remains simplified |
Purchasing Power Index
Our Purchasing Power score answers: "How far does this salary go in this city compared to the national average?"
A score of 100 means the scenario is estimated at national-average purchasing power. Above 100 = your dollar goes further. Below 100 = the local cost of living eats into your earnings.
Tax Calculation
We estimate after-tax income using:
- Federal income tax — 2026 marginal tax schedules with Single, Married Filing Jointly, and Head of Household profiles.
- FICA (Social Security & Medicare) — 2026 Social Security wage base and status-specific Additional Medicare thresholds.
- State income tax — simplified state-by-state computations with explicit fallback behavior where detailed rules are not modeled.
Housing Affordability
We calculate two key housing metrics:
HUD 1B Fair Market Rent
We use HUD 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent where imported. HUD FMR is a 40th percentile gross rent benchmark, not a median rent series.
Mtg Simulation
Homeownership is simulated using a 20% down payment, prevailing fixed rates, and a 30-year term on the metro's median home price.
Limitations
- BLS OEWS data is published annually and may lag current market conditions; inflation indexing is a projection, not an observed wage update.
- Tax models now support Single, Married Filing Jointly, and Head of Household federal profiles. Credits, itemized deductions, dependents, and local taxes can materially change net outcomes.
- Cost of living indices and HUD FMR reflect metro-level or rent-area benchmarks, masking neighborhood-specific premiums.