Salary Comparison
Patternmakers: Hackensack vs Topeka
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Hackensack, NJ
$64,041/yr
Topeka, KS
$48,270/yr
Our recommendation: Topeka, KS
Topeka offers $108 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Hackensack
Topeka
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$64,041
$48,270
+$15,771
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$3,896
$2,936
+$960
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
112
68
+44 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,901
$1,833
+$1,068
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,669
$920
+$749
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$995
$1,103
$108
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.34×
1.60×
-0.26×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
5/10 (Tight)
6/10 (Moderate)
-1
A vs B
Hackensack — Full Details
Topeka — Full Details
Salary estimates based on BLS metro data. Cost of living from regional price indices. All figures are estimates; verify with employers before making decisions.