The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Materials Engineers: Sterling Heights vs Frisco

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

Sterling Heights, MI

$100,975/yr

Take-home$6,143/mo
Disposable$3,941/mo
Lifestyle9/10 ยท Comfortable
Best Value

Frisco, TX

$126,350/yr

Take-home$7,686/mo
Disposable$4,728/mo
Lifestyle9/10 ยท Comfortable
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Frisco, TX

Frisco offers $787 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.

Full Breakdown

Sterling Heights

Frisco

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$100,975

$126,350

$25,375

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$6,143

$7,686

$1,543

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

82

110

-28 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,202

$2,958

$756

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,180

$1,780

$600

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$3,941

$4,728

$787

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

2.79ร—

2.60ร—

+0.19ร—

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.