Remote Salary Comparison

Remote US salaries are typically benchmarked at approximately 95% of the national median for the role, since companies often apply a geographic-neutral pay band. Remote Global roles average around 75% of the US median, reflecting the global talent market and purchasing power parity adjustments.

The cost of living index compares the relative cost of essentials (housing, food, transport, entertainment) in each city against the national US average (index 100). A city with index 180, like San Francisco, means living there costs roughly 80% more than the national average.

It depends on your purchasing power. A lower nominal salary in a lower cost-of-living area can actually give you more effective compensation. Use this tool to compare the net purchasing power between your current city and a remote arrangement to see if you come out ahead.

Our salary data reflects 2025-2026 market conditions and is reviewed quarterly. The cost of living indices are updated semi-annually based on national economic data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and industry salary surveys.

Absolutely. Use the purchasing power comparison and cost of living adjustments to make a data-backed case for your desired compensation. For personalized negotiation scripts and total compensation modeling, try our AI-powered Salary Intelligence tool.