The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Art: Aurora vs Columbus

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

Aurora, CO

$83,981/yr

Take-home$5,109/mo
Disposable$2,367/mo
Lifestyle7/10 · Moderate

Columbus, GA

$70,772/yr

Take-home$4,305/mo
Disposable$2,285/mo
Lifestyle8/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Aurora

Columbus

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$83,981

$70,772

+$13,209

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$5,109

$4,305

+$804

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

102

78

+24 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,742

$2,020

+$722

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,610

$1,162

+$448

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$2,367

$2,285

+$82

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

1.86×

2.13×

-0.27×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

7/10 (Moderate)

8/10 (Comfortable)

-1

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.