Salary expectations: how do you answer? - 9 months and counting

I have been out of work for 6 weeks and feel pressure to accept less. Any experience at all would help. I looked up ranges in Boston and they vary a lot. How do you research fairly?

Keep everything in writing and save the confirmation numbers. It made the follow-up calls so much easier.

Benefits matter too. A slightly lower rate with better coverage was better for me.