How AffordMap works

Our data sources

AffordMap presents salary and cost-of-living data from official United States government agencies. These datasets are published as public domain works under federal law (17 U.S.C. § 105) and are freely available to anyone. Our primary sources are:

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES)
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW)
• U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis - Regional Price Parities (RPP)
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Fair Market Rents (FMR)
• U.S. Department of Labor - H-1B Disclosure Data

We download these datasets in their published form and present them through our interface. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states: "You are free to use our public domain material without specific permission, although we do ask that you cite the Bureau of Labor Statistics as the source."We cite BLS on every page.

What we calculate

In addition to presenting published government data, AffordMap generates several derived figures to help you understand what a salary means in practical terms. These calculations are our own estimates and are not published by any government agency:

• Take-home pay estimates - based on published IRS federal tax brackets, published state income tax rates, and FICA withholding rates. These are simplified approximations that do not account for itemized deductions, credits, local taxes, pre-tax benefits, retirement contributions, or individual circumstances.
• Affordability metrics - calculated by comparing estimated take-home pay to HUD Fair Market Rents. The 30% rent-burden guideline referenced throughout the site is a commonly used financial planning benchmark, not a government mandate.
• Purchasing power adjustments - calculated by dividing salary by the BLS Regional Price Parity index. These provide a relative comparison between areas but do not reflect individual spending patterns.
• Salary negotiation ranges - derived from BLS percentile data combined with experience-level estimates. These are informational starting points, not guarantees of achievable compensation.
• Employer cost estimates - based on BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation data, published SUI rates, and standard benefit cost estimates. Actual employer costs vary significantly by company, industry, and benefits package.

Important limitations

Government salary data is collected through employer surveys and represents reported wages for standard occupation classifications. A few things worth keeping in mind:

• BLS wage data is typically 12-18 months old by the time it's published. Our data reflects the most recent available release.
• Occupation classifications are broad. A "software developer" category includes many different specializations that may have very different pay ranges.
• BLS data does not include self-employed workers, agricultural workers, or private household workers.
• Small geographic areas or uncommon occupations may have limited sample sizes. BLS suppresses data that doesn't meet reliability standards, and we respect those suppressions.
• Cost-of-living comparisons are approximations. Your individual experience depends on your housing situation, spending habits, family size, and many other personal factors.
• Tax estimates on this site are simplified and do not replace professional tax advice. Many factors affect your actual tax liability.

How we make money

AffordMap is a free service supported by advertising and affiliate partnerships. When you see links to job boards, education programs, payroll services, or other products, these may be affiliate links. If you click through and sign up or make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Our affiliate relationships never influence the salary data, cost-of-living figures, or calculations shown on this site. That data comes directly from government sources and is presented without modification for commercial purposes. We choose affiliate partners that are relevant to people researching career and salary information.

We also display advertisements through premium ad networks. Ad content is managed by our advertising partners and does not reflect our endorsement.

Not a substitute for professional advice

AffordMap is an informational resource. The data and tools on this site are designed to help you research and compare, not to replace professional guidance. For decisions involving your career, compensation, taxes, relocation, or finances, we encourage you to consult with qualified professionals who can consider your full personal situation.

Specifically, nothing on this site constitutes: tax advice (consult a CPA or tax professional), financial advice (consult a licensed financial advisor), legal advice (consult an attorney), or employment advice (consult a career counselor or HR professional).

Government attribution

AffordMap is an independent website and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or any other government agency.

Per BLS Terms of Service: "BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov." The BLS logo is not used on this site.

Data freshness

We update our database when new government data releases are published, typically on a quarterly basis for employment data and annually for wage survey data. Each page displays the data year in its title. If you need the very latest release, we recommend checking BLS.gov directly.

Corrections and feedback

If you believe any data on AffordMap is presented incorrectly or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us at corrections@affordmap.com. We take data accuracy seriously and will investigate and correct any verified errors promptly.