The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Extraction Workers: Carmel vs Boulder

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

Best Value

Carmel, IN

$43,543/yr

Take-home$2,649/mo
Disposable$-91/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight

Boulder, CO

$53,148/yr

Take-home$3,233/mo
Disposable$-170/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Carmel, IN

Carmel offers $79 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Carmel

Boulder

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$43,543

$53,148

$9,605

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$2,649

$3,233

$584

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

102

127

-25 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,740

$3,403

$663

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,620

$2,150

$530

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$-91

$-170

+$79

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

0.97ร—

0.95ร—

+0.02ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

3/10 (Tight)

3/10 (Tight)

+0

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.