The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Demonstrators And Product Promoters: Rockford vs Berkeley

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

Best Value

Rockford, IL

$31,666/yr

Take-home$1,926/mo
Disposable$19/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight

Berkeley, CA

$52,000/yr

Take-home$3,163/mo
Disposable$-815/mo
Lifestyle2/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Rockford, IL

Rockford offers $834 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Rockford

Berkeley

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$31,666

$52,000

$20,334

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$1,926

$3,163

$1,237

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

71

148

-77 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$1,907

$3,978

$2,071

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$950

$2,550

$1,600

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$19

$-815

+$834

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.01ร—

0.80ร—

+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.