Salary Comparison
Patternmakers: Carlsbad vs Brownsville
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Carlsbad, CA
$65,570/yr
Brownsville, TX
$48,270/yr
Our recommendation: Brownsville, TX
Brownsville offers $942 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Carlsbad
Brownsville
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$65,570
$48,270
+$17,300
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$3,989
$2,936
+$1,053
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
142
68
+74 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$3,823
$1,828
+$1,995
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$2,450
$920
+$1,530
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$166
$1,108
$942
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.04×
1.61×
-0.57×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
3/10 (Tight)
6/10 (Moderate)
-3
A vs B
Carlsbad — Full Details
Brownsville — 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.