The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Office Machine Operators: Madison vs Medford

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

Madison, WI

$39,276/yr

Take-home$2,389/mo
Disposable$-181/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight
Best Value

Medford, MA

$48,120/yr

Take-home$2,927/mo
Disposable$-129/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Medford, MA

Medford offers $52 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.

Full Breakdown

Madison

Medford

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$39,276

$48,120

$8,844

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$2,389

$2,927

$538

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

96

118

-22 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,570

$3,056

$486

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,480

$1,758

$278

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$-181

$-129

$52

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

0.93ร—

0.96ร—

-0.03ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

3/10 (Tight)

3/10 (Tight)

+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.