The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Drafters: Cambridge vs Flint

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

Cambridge, MA

$87,820/yr

Take-home$5,342/mo
Disposable$1,249/mo
Lifestyle5/10 ยท Tight
Best Value

Flint, MI

$54,310/yr

Take-home$3,304/mo
Disposable$1,437/mo
Lifestyle7/10 ยท Moderate
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Flint, MI

Flint offers $188 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Cambridge

Flint

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$87,820

$54,310

+$33,510

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$5,342

$3,304

+$2,038

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

152

72

+80 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$4,093

$1,867

+$2,226

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$2,650

$1,073

+$1,577

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$1,249

$1,437

$188

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.31ร—

1.77ร—

-0.46ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

5/10 (Tight)

7/10 (Moderate)

-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.