The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Installation: Carmel vs Bellevue

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

Best Value

Carmel, IN

$49,301/yr

Take-home$2,999/mo
Disposable$259/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight

Bellevue, WA

$57,060/yr

Take-home$3,471/mo
Disposable$-369/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Carmel, IN

Carmel offers $628 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Carmel

Bellevue

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$49,301

$57,060

$7,759

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$2,999

$3,471

$472

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

102

143

-41 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,740

$3,840

$1,100

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,620

$2,450

$830

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$259

$-369

+$628

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.09ร—

0.90ร—

+0.19ร—

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.