Salary Comparison
Forging Machine Setters: Kearney vs Lowell
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Kearney, NE
$45,963/yr
Lowell, MA
$65,530/yr
Our recommendation: Lowell, MA
Lowell offers $378 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Kearney
Lowell
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$45,963
$65,530
$19,567
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$2,796
$3,986
$1,190
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
79
106
-27 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,046
$2,858
$812
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,177
$1,650
$473
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$750
$1,128
$378
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.37×
1.39×
-0.02×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
5/10 (Tight)
5/10 (Tight)
+0
A vs B
Kearney — 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.