The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Coating: Seattle vs Brownsville

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

Seattle, WA

$59,560/yr

Take-home$3,623/mo
Disposable$253/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight
Best Value

Brownsville, TX

$39,872/yr

Take-home$2,426/mo
Disposable$598/mo
Lifestyle5/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Brownsville, TX

Brownsville offers $345 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Seattle

Brownsville

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$59,560

$39,872

+$19,688

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$3,623

$2,426

+$1,197

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

126

68

+58 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$3,370

$1,828

+$1,542

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$2,050

$920

+$1,130

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$253

$598

$345

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.08ร—

1.33ร—

-0.25ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

3/10 (Tight)

5/10 (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.