The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Coating: Bloomington vs San Diego

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

Best Value

Bloomington, MN

$47,571/yr

Take-home$2,894/mo
Disposable$339/mo
Lifestyle4/10 ยท Tight

San Diego, CA

$59,118/yr

Take-home$3,596/mo
Disposable$31/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Bloomington, MN

Bloomington offers $308 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Bloomington

San Diego

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$47,571

$59,118

$11,547

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$2,894

$3,596

$702

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

95

133

-38 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,555

$3,565

$1,010

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,450

$2,250

$800

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$339

$31

+$308

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.13ร—

1.01ร—

+0.12ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

4/10 (Tight)

3/10 (Tight)

+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.