The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Art: Independence vs Long Beach

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

Independence, MO

$73,708/yr

Take-home$4,484/mo
Disposable$2,424/mo
Lifestyle8/10 · Comfortable

Long Beach, CA

$102,370/yr

Take-home$6,228/mo
Disposable$2,798/mo
Lifestyle7/10 · Moderate

Full Breakdown

Independence

Long Beach

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$73,708

$102,370

$28,662

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$4,484

$6,228

$1,744

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

77

128

-51 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,060

$3,430

$1,370

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,080

$2,150

$1,070

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$2,424

$2,798

$374

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

2.18×

1.82×

+0.36×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

8/10 (Comfortable)

7/10 (Moderate)

+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.