The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Editors: Waterloo vs Glendale

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

Best Value

Waterloo, IA

$58,761/yr

Take-home$3,575/mo
Disposable$1,555/mo
Lifestyle7/10 ยท Moderate

Glendale, CA

$90,570/yr

Take-home$5,510/mo
Disposable$1,810/mo
Lifestyle5/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Waterloo, IA

Waterloo offers higher purchasing power (7 vs 5/10), giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Waterloo

Glendale

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$58,761

$90,570

$31,809

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$3,575

$5,510

$1,935

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

78

138

-60 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,020

$3,700

$1,680

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,162

$2,350

$1,188

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$1,555

$1,810

$255

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.77ร—

1.49ร—

+0.28ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

7/10 (Moderate)

5/10 (Tight)

+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.