The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Computer: Long Beach vs Birmingham

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

Long Beach, CA

$47,650/yr

Take-home$2,899/mo
Disposable$-531/mo
Lifestyle2/10 ยท Tight
Best Value

Birmingham, AL

$38,754/yr

Take-home$2,358/mo
Disposable$544/mo
Lifestyle5/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Birmingham, AL

Birmingham offers $1,075 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Long Beach

Birmingham

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$47,650

$38,754

+$8,896

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$2,899

$2,358

+$541

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

128

70

+58 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$3,430

$1,814

+$1,616

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$2,150

$1,043

+$1,107

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$-531

$544

$1,075

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

0.85ร—

1.30ร—

-0.45ร—

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.