Salary Comparison
Patternmakers: Augusta vs Carlsbad
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Augusta, GA
$51,496/yr
Carlsbad, CA
$65,570/yr
Our recommendation: Augusta, GA
Augusta offers $902 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Augusta
Carlsbad
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$51,496
$65,570
$14,074
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$3,133
$3,989
$856
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
77
142
-65 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,065
$3,823
$1,758
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,080
$2,450
$1,370
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$1,068
$166
+$902
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.52×
1.04×
+0.48×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
6/10 (Moderate)
3/10 (Tight)
+3
A vs B
Augusta — Full Details
Carlsbad — 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.