The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Materials Scientists: Oakland vs Laredo

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

Oakland, CA

$126,240/yr

Take-home$7,680/mo
Disposable$4,090/mo
Lifestyle8/10 · Comfortable

Laredo, TX

$89,099/yr

Take-home$5,420/mo
Disposable$3,552/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Oakland

Laredo

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$126,240

$89,099

+$37,141

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$7,680

$5,420

+$2,260

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

134

70

+64 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$3,590

$1,868

+$1,722

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$2,250

$950

+$1,300

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,090

$3,552

+$538

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

2.14×

2.90×

-0.76×

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.