The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Area: Sioux Falls vs San Mateo

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

Best Value

Sioux Falls, SD

$78,097/yr

Take-home$4,751/mo
Disposable$2,656/mo
Lifestyle8/10 ยท Comfortable

San Mateo, CA

$103,120/yr

Take-home$6,273/mo
Disposable$2,040/mo
Lifestyle5/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Sioux Falls, SD

Sioux Falls offers $616 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Sioux Falls

San Mateo

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$78,097

$103,120

$25,023

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$4,751

$6,273

$1,522

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

78

158

-80 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,095

$4,233

$2,138

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,120

$2,780

$1,660

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$2,656

$2,040

+$616

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

2.27ร—

1.48ร—

+0.79ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

8/10 (Comfortable)

5/10 (Tight)

+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.