The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Air Traffic Controllers: Folsom vs Cambridge

Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.

Best Value

Folsom, CA

$169,230/yr

Take-home$10,295/mo
Disposable$7,108/mo
Lifestyle10/10 ยท Comfortable

Cambridge, MA

$131,360/yr

Take-home$7,991/mo
Disposable$3,898/mo
Lifestyle7/10 ยท Moderate
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Folsom, CA

Folsom offers $3,210 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.

Full Breakdown

Folsom

Cambridge

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$169,230

$131,360

+$37,870

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$10,295

$7,991

+$2,304

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

123

152

-29 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$3,187

$4,093

$906

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,833

$2,650

$817

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$7,108

$3,898

+$3,210

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

3.23ร—

1.95ร—

+1.28ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

10/10 (Comfortable)

7/10 (Moderate)

+3

A vs B

Salary estimates based on BLS metro data. Cost of living from regional price indices. All figures are estimates; verify with employers before making decisions.