The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Orderlies: San Jose vs Abilene

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

San Jose, CA

$63,900/yr

Take-home$3,887/mo
Disposable$-78/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight
Best Value

Abilene, TX

$33,577/yr

Take-home$2,043/mo
Disposable$116/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Abilene, TX

Abilene offers $194 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

San Jose

Abilene

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$63,900

$33,577

+$30,323

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$3,887

$2,043

+$1,844

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

148

72

+76 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$3,965

$1,927

+$2,038

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$2,550

$980

+$1,570

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$-78

$116

$194

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

0.98ร—

1.06ร—

-0.08ร—

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.