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DISPOSABLE INCOME RANKINGS

Top 20 Best Cities for Graphic Designerss

We've ranked the best US cities for graphic designerss by calculating the Real Disposable Income. Unlike absolute salary rankings, this proprietary metric deducts localized housing costs, regional inflation, and state income taxes to reveal where you will actually keep the most cash at the end of the month.

How We Calculate the Score

Disposable Income = Monthly Take-Home Pay (after federal & state taxes) - Estimated Mortgage (assuming 20% down, current rates on median local home) - Cost of Living Adjusted Standard Expenses.

#1

Rochester, NY

MSA Pop: 1.1M
Monthly Disposable Cash
$962
Median Base Salary
$63,362
Cost Index
92
Est. Mortgage
$1,022/mo
#2

Indianapolis, IN

MSA Pop: 2.1M
Monthly Disposable Cash
$913
Median Base Salary
$66,471
Cost Index
90.5
Est. Mortgage
$1,363/mo
#3

San Antonio, TX

MSA Pop: 2.6M
Monthly Disposable Cash
$842
Median Base Salary
$64,643
Cost Index
91.8
Est. Mortgage
$1,468/mo
#4

Detroit, MI

MSA Pop: 4.3M
Monthly Disposable Cash
$741
Median Base Salary
$61,817
Cost Index
89.3
Est. Mortgage
$1,179/mo
#5

Akron, OH

MSA Pop: 0.7M
Monthly Disposable Cash
$739
Median Base Salary
$57,678
Cost Index
87.1
Est. Mortgage
$917/mo
#6

Dayton, OH

MSA Pop: 0.8M
Monthly Disposable Cash
$729
Median Base Salary
$57,512
Cost Index
85.4
Est. Mortgage
$917/mo
#7

Memphis, TN

MSA Pop: 1.3M
Monthly Disposable Cash
$716
Median Base Salary
$57,279
Cost Index
87.5
Est. Mortgage
$1,101/mo
#8

Dallas, TX

MSA Pop: 7.6M
Monthly Disposable Cash
$711
Median Base Salary
$69,728
Cost Index
98.7
Est. Mortgage
$1,913/mo
#9

Buffalo, NY

MSA Pop: 1.1M
Monthly Disposable Cash
$657
Median Base Salary
$59,727
Cost Index
91.3
Est. Mortgage
$1,101/mo
#10

Tulsa, OK

MSA Pop: 1.0M
Monthly Disposable Cash
$648
Median Base Salary
$57,888
Cost Index
87.3
Est. Mortgage
$1,022/mo
#11

Hartford, CT

MSA Pop: 1.2M
Monthly Disposable Cash
$636
Median Base Salary
$66,534
Cost Index
110.8
Est. Mortgage
$1,573/mo
#12

Columbus, OH

MSA Pop: 2.1M
Monthly Disposable Cash
$615
Median Base Salary
$64,517
Cost Index
92.4
Est. Mortgage
$1,468/mo
#13

Milwaukee, WI

MSA Pop: 1.6M
Monthly Disposable Cash
$614
Median Base Salary
$63,025
Cost Index
93.5
Est. Mortgage
$1,363/mo
#14

New Haven, CT

MSA Pop: 0.9M
Monthly Disposable Cash
$602
Median Base Salary
$66,871
Cost Index
112.5
Est. Mortgage
$1,625/mo
#15

St. Louis, MO

MSA Pop: 2.8M
Monthly Disposable Cash
$598
Median Base Salary
$59,201
Cost Index
90.1
Est. Mortgage
$1,153/mo
#16

Cleveland, OH

MSA Pop: 2.0M
Monthly Disposable Cash
$569
Median Base Salary
$56,627
Cost Index
89.8
Est. Mortgage
$1,022/mo
#17

Omaha, NE

MSA Pop: 0.9M
Monthly Disposable Cash
$542
Median Base Salary
$60,830
Cost Index
90.6
Est. Mortgage
$1,311/mo
#18

Baltimore, MD

MSA Pop: 2.8M
Monthly Disposable Cash
$532
Median Base Salary
$69,644
Cost Index
112.4
Est. Mortgage
$1,835/mo
#19

Philadelphia, PA

MSA Pop: 6.2M
Monthly Disposable Cash
$509
Median Base Salary
$64,286
Cost Index
108.4
Est. Mortgage
$1,625/mo
#20

Pittsburgh, PA

MSA Pop: 2.3M
Monthly Disposable Cash
$495
Median Base Salary
$55,923
Cost Index
93.7
Est. Mortgage
$1,101/mo