The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Coating: Cambridge vs South Bend

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

Cambridge, MA

$49,720/yr

Take-home$3,025/mo
Disposable$-1,068/mo
Lifestyle2/10 ยท Tight
Best Value

South Bend, IN

$40,465/yr

Take-home$2,462/mo
Disposable$572/mo
Lifestyle5/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: South Bend, IN

South Bend offers $1,640 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Cambridge

South Bend

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$49,720

$40,465

+$9,255

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$3,025

$2,462

+$563

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

152

70

+82 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$4,093

$1,890

+$2,203

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$2,650

$950

+$1,700

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$-1,068

$572

$1,640

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

0.74ร—

1.30ร—

-0.56ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

2/10 (Tight)

5/10 (Tight)

-3

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.