The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Patternmakers: Carlsbad vs Youngstown

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

Carlsbad, CA

$65,570/yr

Take-home$3,989/mo
Disposable$166/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight
Best Value

Youngstown, OH

$48,987/yr

Take-home$2,980/mo
Disposable$1,166/mo
Lifestyle6/10 ยท Moderate
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Youngstown, OH

Youngstown offers $1,000 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Carlsbad

Youngstown

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$65,570

$48,987

+$16,583

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$3,989

$2,980

+$1,009

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

142

70

+72 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$3,823

$1,814

+$2,009

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$2,450

$1,043

+$1,407

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$166

$1,166

$1,000

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.04ร—

1.64ร—

-0.60ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

3/10 (Tight)

6/10 (Moderate)

-3

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.