The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Materials Engineers: Seattle vs Dayton

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

Best Value

Seattle, WA

$140,810/yr

Take-home$8,566/mo
Disposable$5,196/mo
Lifestyle9/10 ยท Comfortable

Dayton, OH

$92,320/yr

Take-home$5,616/mo
Disposable$3,679/mo
Lifestyle9/10 ยท Comfortable
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Seattle, WA

Seattle offers $1,517 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.

Full Breakdown

Seattle

Dayton

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$140,810

$92,320

+$48,490

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$8,566

$5,616

+$2,950

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

126

72

+54 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$3,370

$1,937

+$1,433

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$2,050

$980

+$1,070

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$5,196

$3,679

+$1,517

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

2.54ร—

2.90ร—

-0.36ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

9/10 (Comfortable)

9/10 (Comfortable)

+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.