The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Patternmakers: Fishers vs Berkeley

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

Best Value

Fishers, IN

$56,872/yr

Take-home$3,460/mo
Disposable$997/mo
Lifestyle5/10 ยท Tight

Berkeley, CA

$65,570/yr

Take-home$3,989/mo
Disposable$11/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Fishers, IN

Fishers offers $986 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Fishers

Berkeley

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$56,872

$65,570

$8,698

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$3,460

$3,989

$529

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

95

148

-53 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,463

$3,978

$1,515

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,416

$2,550

$1,134

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$997

$11

+$986

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.40ร—

1.00ร—

+0.40ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

5/10 (Tight)

3/10 (Tight)

+2

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.