The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Art: Madison vs Costa Mesa

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

Madison, WI

$79,578/yr

Take-home$4,841/mo
Disposable$2,271/mo
Lifestyle7/10 · Moderate

Costa Mesa, CA

$102,370/yr

Take-home$6,228/mo
Disposable$2,503/mo
Lifestyle6/10 · Moderate

Full Breakdown

Madison

Costa Mesa

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$79,578

$102,370

$22,792

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$4,841

$6,228

$1,387

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

96

139

-43 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,570

$3,725

$1,155

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,480

$2,380

$900

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$2,271

$2,503

$232

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

1.88×

1.67×

+0.21×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

7/10 (Moderate)

6/10 (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.