Salary comparison
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education: Albany vs San Jose
Albany, GA pays about 22.4% more for preschool teachers, except special education on paper — $62,680 vs $51,190. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Albany comes out ahead by $11,490 a year in real buying power.
Albany, GA
$62,680
$34,740
$79,700
$30.14
100
$62,680/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
San Jose, CA
$51,190
$46,840
$59,240
$24.61
100
$51,190/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $11,490 a year (22.4%) in favor of Albany. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Albany runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; San Jose sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Albany is the better deal by $11,490 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from San Jose to Albany for this role, the raise needs to beat 22.4% to come out ahead after living costs. Anything below that and you are earning more on paper but keeping less.
Common questions
Where do preschool teachers, except special education earn more, Albany or San Jose?
Albany pays $62,680 on median — about 22.4% more than San Jose ($51,190). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Albany. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Albany gives you roughly$62,680 of real buying power versus $51,190 in the other city.