The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Patternmakers: Kennewick vs Carlsbad

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

Best Value

Kennewick, WA

$56,156/yr

Take-home$3,416/mo
Disposable$1,084/mo
Lifestyle5/10 ยท Tight

Carlsbad, CA

$65,570/yr

Take-home$3,989/mo
Disposable$166/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Kennewick, WA

Kennewick offers $918 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Kennewick

Carlsbad

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$56,156

$65,570

$9,414

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$3,416

$3,989

$573

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

90

142

-52 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,332

$3,823

$1,491

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,341

$2,450

$1,109

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$1,084

$166

+$918

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.46ร—

1.04ร—

+0.42ร—

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.