The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Compensation: Duluth vs Bellevue

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

Best Value

Duluth, MN

$74,282/yr

Take-home$4,519/mo
Disposable$2,302/mo
Lifestyle8/10 ยท Comfortable

Bellevue, WA

$96,460/yr

Take-home$5,868/mo
Disposable$2,028/mo
Lifestyle6/10 ยท Moderate
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Duluth, MN

Duluth offers $274 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Duluth

Bellevue

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$74,282

$96,460

$22,178

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$4,519

$5,868

$1,349

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

83

143

-60 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,217

$3,840

$1,623

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,180

$2,450

$1,270

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$2,302

$2,028

+$274

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

2.04ร—

1.53ร—

+0.51ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

8/10 (Comfortable)

6/10 (Moderate)

+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.