The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Maintenance Workers: Newark vs Abilene

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

Newark, NJ

$67,198/yr

Take-home$4,088/mo
Disposable$1,240/mo
Lifestyle5/10 ยท Tight
Best Value

Abilene, TX

$52,154/yr

Take-home$3,173/mo
Disposable$1,246/mo
Lifestyle6/10 ยท Moderate
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Abilene, TX

Abilene offers $6 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Newark

Abilene

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$67,198

$52,154

+$15,044

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$4,088

$3,173

+$915

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

106

72

+34 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,848

$1,927

+$921

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,650

$980

+$670

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$1,240

$1,246

$6

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.44ร—

1.65ร—

-0.21ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

5/10 (Tight)

6/10 (Moderate)

-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.