The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Explosives Workers: Milwaukee vs Berkeley

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

Milwaukee, WI

$58,247/yr

Take-home$3,543/mo
Disposable$1,268/mo
Lifestyle6/10 · Moderate

Berkeley, CA

$94,240/yr

Take-home$5,733/mo
Disposable$1,755/mo
Lifestyle5/10 · Tight

Full Breakdown

Milwaukee

Berkeley

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$58,247

$94,240

$35,993

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$3,543

$5,733

$2,190

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

85

148

-63 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,275

$3,978

$1,703

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,240

$2,550

$1,310

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$1,268

$1,755

$487

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

1.56×

1.44×

+0.12×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

6/10 (Moderate)

5/10 (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.