The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Coating: Somerville vs San Diego

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

Somerville, MA

$49,720/yr

Take-home$3,025/mo
Disposable$-395/mo
Lifestyle2/10 ยท Tight
Best Value

San Diego, CA

$59,118/yr

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

Our recommendation: San Diego, CA

San Diego offers $426 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.

Full Breakdown

Somerville

San Diego

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$49,720

$59,118

$9,398

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$3,025

$3,596

$571

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

132

133

-1 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$3,420

$3,565

$145

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,967

$2,250

$283

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$-395

$31

$426

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

0.88ร—

1.01ร—

-0.13ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

2/10 (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.