The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Electrical: Appleton vs Boston

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

Best Value

Appleton, WI

$39,324/yr

Take-home$2,392/mo
Disposable$165/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight

Boston, MA

$48,510/yr

Take-home$2,951/mo
Disposable$-959/mo
Lifestyle2/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Appleton, WI

Appleton offers $1,124 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Appleton

Boston

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$39,324

$48,510

$9,186

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$2,392

$2,951

$559

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

86

146

-60 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,227

$3,910

$1,683

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,281

$2,490

$1,209

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$165

$-959

+$1,124

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.07ร—

0.75ร—

+0.32ร—

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.