Salary Comparison
Extraction Workers: New Orleans vs Topeka
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
New Orleans, LA
$54,900/yr
Topeka, KS
$36,956/yr
Our recommendation: New Orleans, LA
New Orleans offers $473 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
New Orleans
Topeka
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$54,900
$36,956
+$17,944
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$3,340
$2,248
+$1,092
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
91
68
+23 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,452
$1,833
+$619
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,380
$920
+$460
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$888
$415
+$473
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.36×
1.23×
+0.13×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
5/10 (Tight)
4/10 (Tight)
+1
A vs B
New Orleans — Full Details
Topeka — 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.