The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Materials Engineers: Washington vs Albany

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

Washington, DC

$132,266/yr

Take-home$8,046/mo
Disposable$4,491/mo
Lifestyle8/10 · Comfortable

Albany, NY

$112,293/yr

Take-home$6,831/mo
Disposable$4,188/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Washington

Albany

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$132,266

$112,293

+$19,973

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$8,046

$6,831

+$1,215

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

132

102

+30 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$3,555

$2,643

+$912

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$2,180

$1,520

+$660

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,491

$4,188

+$303

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

2.26×

2.58×

-0.32×

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.