The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Continuous Mining Machine Operators: Madison vs Brownsville

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

Madison, WI

$37,020/yr

Take-home$2,252/mo
Disposable$-318/mo
Lifestyle2/10 ยท Tight
Best Value

Brownsville, TX

$30,647/yr

Take-home$1,864/mo
Disposable$36/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Brownsville, TX

Brownsville offers $354 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Madison

Brownsville

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$37,020

$30,647

+$6,373

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$2,252

$1,864

+$388

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

96

68

+28 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,570

$1,828

+$742

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,480

$920

+$560

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$-318

$36

$354

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

0.88ร—

1.02ร—

-0.14ร—

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.