The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Patternmakers: Chino vs Birmingham

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

Chino, CA

$65,570/yr

Take-home$3,989/mo
Disposable$926/mo
Lifestyle5/10 ยท Tight
Best Value

Birmingham, AL

$48,987/yr

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

Our recommendation: Birmingham, AL

Birmingham offers $240 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Chino

Birmingham

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

114

70

+44 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$3,063

$1,814

+$1,249

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,850

$1,043

+$807

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$926

$1,166

$240

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.30ร—

1.64ร—

-0.34ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

5/10 (Tight)

6/10 (Moderate)

-1

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.