Salary Comparison
Crushing: Joplin vs Chicago
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Joplin, MO
$41,368/yr
Chicago, IL
$60,830/yr
Our recommendation: Chicago, IL
Chicago offers $320 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Joplin
Chicago
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$41,368
$60,830
$19,462
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$2,517
$3,701
$1,184
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
79
108
-29 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,046
$2,910
$864
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,177
$1,750
$573
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$471
$791
$320
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.23×
1.27×
-0.04×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
4/10 (Tight)
4/10 (Tight)
+0
A vs B
Joplin — Full Details
Chicago — 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.