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Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in Arizona: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary really buy you in Arizona?

Arizona is near the US average cost of living

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary
$98,760
Median annual (2024)
+0.1%
Real Purchasing Power
$98,858
COL-adjusted (RPP=99.9)

Arizona Cost of Living Index

Arizona's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 99.9, meaning prices are 0.1% lower the national average. A Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary earning $98,760 in Arizona has the equivalent purchasing power of $98,858 in an average-cost US state.

AZ: 99.9
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Arizona's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $50,380 $50,430 +$50
25th Percentile (P25) $71,670 $71,741 +$71
Median (P50) $98,760 $98,858 +$98
75th Percentile (P75) $118,640 $118,758 +$118
90th Percentile (P90) $142,820 $142,962 +$142
Key Insight

Arizona's cost of living is close to the national average, so $98,760 keeps most of its value at $98,858 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.

Best States for Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary (After Cost of Living)

Where does Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Montana
$118,859
RPP 90.3
$113,011
RPP 107.6
$110,915
RPP 112.5
4. Maine
$110,376
RPP 100.8
$109,989
RPP 93.4
6. Vermont
$102,027
RPP 101.1
7. Texas
$101,323
RPP 97.5
$100,337
RPP 97.7
9. Arizona
$98,858
RPP 99.9
$98,214
RPP 106.4

Arizona ranks #9 out of 43 states for Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary in Arizona after cost of living?

A Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary in Arizona earns a median salary of $98,760 per year. After adjusting for Arizona's cost of living (RPP=99.9), the real purchasing power is $98,858 — a +0.1% difference.

Is Arizona expensive to live in?

Arizona's cost of living is 0.1% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Arizona is 99.9 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary in Arizona: $98,760 x (100 / 99.9) = $98,858. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

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