The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Opticians: Palm Bay vs Boston

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

Best Value

Palm Bay, FL

$44,575/yr

Take-home$2,712/mo
Disposable$327/mo
Lifestyle4/10 ยท Tight

Boston, MA

$62,570/yr

Take-home$3,806/mo
Disposable$-104/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Palm Bay, FL

Palm Bay offers $431 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Palm Bay

Boston

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$44,575

$62,570

$17,995

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$2,712

$3,806

$1,094

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

89

146

-57 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,385

$3,910

$1,525

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,320

$2,490

$1,170

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$327

$-104

+$431

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.14ร—

0.97ร—

+0.17ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

4/10 (Tight)

3/10 (Tight)

+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.