The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Installation: Hamilton vs Boulder

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

Best Value

Hamilton, OH

$44,640/yr

Take-home$2,716/mo
Disposable$723/mo
Lifestyle5/10 ยท Tight

Boulder, CO

$60,176/yr

Take-home$3,661/mo
Disposable$258/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Hamilton, OH

Hamilton offers $465 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Hamilton

Boulder

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$44,640

$60,176

$15,536

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$2,716

$3,661

$945

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

77

127

-50 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$1,993

$3,403

$1,410

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,147

$2,150

$1,003

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$723

$258

+$465

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.36ร—

1.08ร—

+0.28ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

5/10 (Tight)

3/10 (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.