The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Editors: Tucson vs Carlsbad

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

Tucson, AZ

$60,386/yr

Take-home$3,674/mo
Disposable$1,470/mo
Lifestyle6/10 · Moderate

Carlsbad, CA

$90,570/yr

Take-home$5,510/mo
Disposable$1,687/mo
Lifestyle5/10 · Tight

Full Breakdown

Tucson

Carlsbad

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$60,386

$90,570

$30,184

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$3,674

$5,510

$1,836

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

82

142

-60 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,204

$3,823

$1,619

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,180

$2,450

$1,270

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$1,470

$1,687

$217

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

1.67×

1.44×

+0.23×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

6/10 (Moderate)

5/10 (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.