The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Multiple Machine Tool Setters: Indianapolis vs Sugar Land

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

Indianapolis, IN

$42,295/yr

Take-home$2,573/mo
Disposable$408/mo
Lifestyle4/10 ยท Tight
Best Value

Sugar Land, TX

$77,520/yr

Take-home$4,716/mo
Disposable$2,041/mo
Lifestyle7/10 ยท Moderate
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Sugar Land, TX

Sugar Land offers $1,633 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.

Full Breakdown

Indianapolis

Sugar Land

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$42,295

$77,520

$35,225

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$2,573

$4,716

$2,143

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

81

100

-19 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,165

$2,675

$510

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,170

$1,550

$380

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$408

$2,041

$1,633

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.19ร—

1.76ร—

-0.57ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

4/10 (Tight)

7/10 (Moderate)

-3

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.