Salary Comparison
Editors: Waterloo vs Los Angeles
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Waterloo, IA
$58,761/yr
Los Angeles, CA
$90,570/yr
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
Los Angeles
Diff (A−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
139
-61 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,020
$3,740
$1,720
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,162
$2,380
$1,218
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$1,555
$1,770
$215
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.77×
1.47×
+0.30×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
7/10 (Moderate)
5/10 (Tight)
+2
A vs B
Waterloo — Full Details
Los Angeles — Full Details
Salary estimates based on BLS metro data. Cost of living from regional price indices. All figures are estimates; verify with employers before making decisions.