The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Installation: Aurora vs Brownsville

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

Aurora, CO

$53,341/yr

Take-home$3,245/mo
Disposable$503/mo
Lifestyle4/10 ยท Tight
Best Value

Brownsville, TX

$41,844/yr

Take-home$2,546/mo
Disposable$718/mo
Lifestyle5/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Brownsville, TX

Brownsville offers $215 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Aurora

Brownsville

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$53,341

$41,844

+$11,497

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$3,245

$2,546

+$699

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

102

68

+34 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,742

$1,828

+$914

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,610

$920

+$690

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$503

$718

$215

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.18ร—

1.39ร—

-0.21ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

4/10 (Tight)

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.