The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Cleaning: Berkeley vs Rockford

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

Berkeley, CA

$44,630/yr

Take-home$2,715/mo
Disposable$-1,263/mo
Lifestyle1/10 ยท Tight
Best Value

Rockford, IL

$34,224/yr

Take-home$2,082/mo
Disposable$175/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Rockford, IL

Rockford offers $1,438 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Berkeley

Rockford

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$44,630

$34,224

+$10,406

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$2,715

$2,082

+$633

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

148

71

+77 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$3,978

$1,907

+$2,071

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$2,550

$950

+$1,600

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$-1,263

$175

$1,438

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

0.68ร—

1.09ร—

-0.41ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

1/10 (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.