Salary Comparison
Eligibility Interviewers: Manhattan vs Boulder
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Manhattan, KS
$48,481/yr
Boulder, CO
$62,734/yr
Our recommendation: Manhattan, KS
Manhattan offers $386 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Manhattan
Boulder
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$48,481
$62,734
$14,253
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$2,949
$3,816
$867
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
83
127
-44 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,150
$3,403
$1,253
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,237
$2,150
$913
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$799
$413
+$386
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.37×
1.12×
+0.25×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
5/10 (Tight)
4/10 (Tight)
+1
A vs B
Manhattan — 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.