Salary Comparison
Captains: Madison vs Houston
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Madison, WI
$85,763/yr
Houston, TX
$116,620/yr
Our recommendation: Houston, TX
Houston offers $2,032 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Madison
Houston
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$85,763
$116,620
$30,857
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$5,217
$7,094
$1,877
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
96
90
+6 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,570
$2,415
+$155
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,480
$1,350
+$130
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$2,647
$4,679
$2,032
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
2.03×
2.94×
-0.91×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
8/10 (Comfortable)
9/10 (Comfortable)
-1
A vs B
Madison — 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.