The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Makeup Artists: Berkeley vs Laredo

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

Berkeley, CA

$132,900/yr

Take-home$8,085/mo
Disposable$4,107/mo
Lifestyle8/10 · Comfortable

Laredo, TX

$87,509/yr

Take-home$5,324/mo
Disposable$3,456/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Berkeley

Laredo

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$132,900

$87,509

+$45,391

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$8,085

$5,324

+$2,761

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

148

70

+78 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$3,978

$1,868

+$2,110

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$2,550

$950

+$1,600

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,107

$3,456

+$651

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

2.03×

2.85×

-0.82×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

8/10 (Comfortable)

9/10 (Comfortable)

-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.