Salary Comparison
Computer: Waterloo vs Santa Rosa
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Waterloo, IA
$41,023/yr
Santa Rosa, CA
$52,649/yr
Our recommendation: Waterloo, IA
Waterloo offers $478 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Waterloo
Santa Rosa
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$41,023
$52,649
$11,626
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$2,496
$3,203
$707
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
78
119
-41 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,020
$3,205
$1,185
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,162
$1,950
$788
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$476
$-2
+$478
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.24×
1.00×
+0.24×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
4/10 (Tight)
3/10 (Tight)
+1
A vs B
Waterloo — Full Details
Santa Rosa — Full Details
Salary estimates based on BLS metro data. Cost of living from regional price indices. All figures are estimates; verify with employers before making decisions.