The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Patternmakers: Elgin vs Jackson

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

Elgin, IL

$58,665/yr

Take-home$3,569/mo
Disposable$1,162/mo
Lifestyle5/10 · Tight

Jackson, MS

$49,704/yr

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

Full Breakdown

Elgin

Jackson

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$58,665

$49,704

+$8,961

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$3,569

$3,024

+$545

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

90

72

+18 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,407

$1,937

+$470

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,350

$980

+$370

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$1,162

$1,087

+$75

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

1.48×

1.56×

-0.08×

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.