The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Bookkeeping: Decatur vs Bellevue

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

Best Value

Decatur, IL

$45,826/yr

Take-home$2,788/mo
Disposable$664/mo
Lifestyle5/10 ยท Tight

Bellevue, WA

$58,390/yr

Take-home$3,552/mo
Disposable$-288/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Decatur, IL

Decatur offers $952 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Decatur

Bellevue

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$45,826

$58,390

$12,564

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$2,788

$3,552

$764

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

82

143

-61 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,124

$3,840

$1,716

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,222

$2,450

$1,228

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$664

$-288

+$952

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.31ร—

0.93ร—

+0.38ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

5/10 (Tight)

3/10 (Tight)

+2

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.