The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Makeup Artists: Berkeley vs Topeka

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

Topeka, KS

$86,228/yr

Take-home$5,246/mo
Disposable$3,413/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Berkeley

Topeka

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$132,900

$86,228

+$46,672

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$8,085

$5,246

+$2,839

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

148

68

+80 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$3,978

$1,833

+$2,145

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$2,550

$920

+$1,630

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,107

$3,413

+$694

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

2.03×

2.86×

-0.83×

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.