The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Construction Managers: San Jose vs Birmingham

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

San Jose, CA

$151,980/yr

Take-home$9,245/mo
Disposable$5,280/mo
Lifestyle8/10 ยท Comfortable
Best Value

Birmingham, AL

$94,125/yr

Take-home$5,726/mo
Disposable$3,912/mo
Lifestyle10/10 ยท Comfortable
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Birmingham, AL

Birmingham offers higher purchasing power (10 vs 8/10), giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

San Jose

Birmingham

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$151,980

$94,125

+$57,855

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$9,245

$5,726

+$3,519

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

148

70

+78 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$3,965

$1,814

+$2,151

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$2,550

$1,043

+$1,507

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$5,280

$3,912

+$1,368

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

2.33ร—

3.16ร—

-0.83ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

8/10 (Comfortable)

10/10 (Comfortable)

-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.