Consulting compensation can vary by office and geography, but it does not necessarily track cost of living exactly.

Firms may use local salary bands and compensation structures while accounting for market competition and seniority.

A role in a higher-cost city might pay more in nominal terms yet leave less disposable income after rent and taxes. A precise question about how the team works tends to produce a better conversation than a rehearsed question about firm culture.

Request the full breakdown for each location, then compare after-tax pay, housing, commuting and relocation costs instead of comparing base salaries alone. The management consultant salary guide helps identify compensation elements to include.

The housing-cost difference is huge between my two target cities.

I'm trying to compare take-home pay, not just salary.