The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Materials Scientists: Paterson vs Beaumont

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

Paterson, NJ

$116,480/yr

Take-home$7,086/mo
Disposable$4,233/mo
Lifestyle8/10 · Comfortable

Beaumont, TX

$90,403/yr

Take-home$5,500/mo
Disposable$3,563/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Paterson

Beaumont

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$116,480

$90,403

+$26,077

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$7,086

$5,500

+$1,586

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

106

72

+34 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,853

$1,937

+$916

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,650

$980

+$670

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,233

$3,563

+$670

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

2.48×

2.84×

-0.36×

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.