Advertisement
Top 15 by price-adjusted entry-level pay
Full ranking
| # | Metro area | Price-adjusted entry-level pay | Average salary | Price parity | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochester, MN | $46,289 | $80,590 | 90.8 | $343,121 |
| 2 | Longview, WA | $46,102 | $68,090 | 97.5 | $423,261 |
| 3 | Burlington, VT | $45,211 | $74,360 | 100.9 | $472,552 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $45,099 | $119,230 | 110.4 | $1,610,466 |
| 5 | Boulder, CO | $44,543 | $91,760 | 105.2 | $727,954 |
| 6 | Bremerton, WA | $44,476 | $77,020 | 105.6 | $586,380 |
| 7 | Seattle, WA | $44,235 | $91,790 | 111.1 | $750,279 |
| 8 | Olympia, WA | $44,101 | $75,470 | 103.7 | $533,918 |
| 9 | Mount Vernon, WA | $43,946 | $71,790 | 102.4 | $589,523 |
| 10 | Walla Walla, WA | $43,728 | $66,060 | 98.5 | $419,484 |
| 11 | St. Cloud, MN | $43,637 | $63,750 | 87.6 | $318,864 |
| 12 | Kennewick, WA | $43,616 | $73,460 | 100.1 | $441,524 |
| 13 | Spokane, WA | $43,011 | $68,570 | 100.3 | $423,842 |
| 14 | Portland, OR | $42,990 | $78,430 | 105.4 | $552,022 |
| 15 | Denver, CO | $42,975 | $81,690 | 105.8 | $573,221 |
| 16 | Grand Forks, ND | $42,948 | $61,980 | 86.7 | $275,955 |
| 17 | Bellingham, WA | $42,880 | $71,310 | 103.3 | $620,829 |
| 18 | Fairbanks, AK | $42,826 | $73,460 | 103.2 | $312,179 |
| 19 | Decatur, IL | $42,738 | $63,570 | 88.4 | $126,931 |
| 20 | Portland, ME | $42,559 | $70,020 | 101.9 | $542,063 |
| 21 | Sioux City, IA | $42,543 | $56,240 | 86.5 | $225,213 |
| 22 | Grand Island, NE | $42,501 | $56,870 | 86.7 | $260,422 |
| 23 | Greeley, CO | $42,455 | $66,780 | 100.2 | $497,279 |
| 24 | Fargo, ND | $42,368 | $64,380 | 90.9 | $327,854 |
| 25 | Boston, MA | $42,349 | $89,620 | 108.3 | $741,868 |
Advertisement
More rankings
Sources and how to read this page
- Ranking: 25th percentile annual wage of all jobs (a proxy for entry-level pay, BLS OEWS May 2025) divided by the BEA price parity x 100. Pay only: rents, nightlife or career growth are not scored.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.