Nominal income is the actual dollar amount that the person receives as income and has not been adjusted for the inflation rate. Inflation is the increase in the general price level which means that if your income is the same and the price level goes up then you will be able to buy lesser in that income because now the products will be expensive. For example if a person is given a salary of $ 2500 then it generally refers to the nominal income as it does not account for inflation. Real income is adjusted for this increase in prices and represents a realistic picture and shows how much a person is left with when the increase in prices is deducted from nominal income. It shows the purchasing power of the person by relating the income to the goods or services that can bought with it instead of just the dollar amount.
Real Income = Nominal Income - Inflation
Real Income = Nominal Income - Inflation