The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Data Entry Keyers: Cedar Rapids vs Boulder

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

Best Value

Cedar Rapids, IA

$35,773/yr

Take-home$2,176/mo
Disposable$163/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight

Boulder, CO

$48,904/yr

Take-home$2,975/mo
Disposable$-428/mo
Lifestyle2/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Cedar Rapids, IA

Cedar Rapids offers $591 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Cedar Rapids

Boulder

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$35,773

$48,904

$13,131

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$2,176

$2,975

$799

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

75

127

-52 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,013

$3,403

$1,390

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,050

$2,150

$1,100

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$163

$-428

+$591

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.08ร—

0.87ร—

+0.21ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

3/10 (Tight)

2/10 (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.