Salary Comparison
Patternmakers: Appleton vs Los Angeles
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Appleton, WI
$54,005/yr
Los Angeles, CA
$65,570/yr
Our recommendation: Appleton, WI
Appleton offers $809 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Appleton
Los Angeles
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$54,005
$65,570
$11,565
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$3,285
$3,989
$704
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
86
139
-53 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,227
$3,740
$1,513
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,281
$2,380
$1,099
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$1,058
$249
+$809
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.48×
1.07×
+0.41×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
5/10 (Tight)
3/10 (Tight)
+2
A vs B
Appleton — Full Details
Los Angeles — Full Details
Salary estimates based on BLS metro data. Cost of living from regional price indices. All figures are estimates; verify with employers before making decisions.