The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Engineers: Mcallen vs Lowell

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

Mcallen, TX

$107,606/yr

Take-home$6,546/mo
Disposable$4,718/mo
Lifestyle10/10 · Comfortable

Lowell, MA

$132,840/yr

Take-home$8,081/mo
Disposable$5,223/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Mcallen

Lowell

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$107,606

$132,840

$25,234

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$6,546

$8,081

$1,535

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

68

106

-38 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$1,828

$2,858

$1,030

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$920

$1,650

$730

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,718

$5,223

$505

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

3.58×

2.83×

+0.75×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

10/10 (Comfortable)

9/10 (Comfortable)

+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.