The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Patternmakers: Dayton vs Sunnyvale

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

Best Value

Dayton, OH

$49,704/yr

Take-home$3,024/mo
Disposable$1,087/mo
Lifestyle6/10 ยท Moderate

Sunnyvale, CA

$65,570/yr

Take-home$3,989/mo
Disposable$-94/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Dayton, OH

Dayton offers $1,181 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Dayton

Sunnyvale

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$49,704

$65,570

$15,866

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$3,024

$3,989

$965

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

72

152

-80 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$1,937

$4,083

$2,146

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$980

$2,650

$1,670

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$1,087

$-94

+$1,181

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.56ร—

0.98ร—

+0.58ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

6/10 (Moderate)

3/10 (Tight)

+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.