Salary Comparison
Captains: Lansing vs Houston
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Lansing, MI
$74,164/yr
Houston, TX
$116,620/yr
Our recommendation: Houston, TX
Houston offers $2,157 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Lansing
Houston
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$74,164
$116,620
$42,456
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$4,512
$7,094
$2,582
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
74
90
-16 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$1,990
$2,415
$425
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,020
$1,350
$330
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$2,522
$4,679
$2,157
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
2.27×
2.94×
-0.67×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
8/10 (Comfortable)
9/10 (Comfortable)
-1
A vs B
Lansing — Full Details
Houston — Full Details
Salary estimates based on BLS metro data. Cost of living from regional price indices. All figures are estimates; verify with employers before making decisions.