The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Floor Layers: Lorain vs Boulder

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

Best Value

Lorain, OH

$47,695/yr

Take-home$2,901/mo
Disposable$983/mo
Lifestyle6/10 ยท Moderate

Boulder, CO

$64,295/yr

Take-home$3,911/mo
Disposable$508/mo
Lifestyle4/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Lorain, OH

Lorain offers $475 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Lorain

Boulder

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$47,695

$64,295

$16,600

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$2,901

$3,911

$1,010

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

74

127

-53 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$1,918

$3,403

$1,485

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,103

$2,150

$1,047

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$983

$508

+$475

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.51ร—

1.15ร—

+0.36ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

6/10 (Moderate)

4/10 (Tight)

+2

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.