Salary Comparison
Patternmakers: Lakewood vs Jackson
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Lakewood, CO
$61,532/yr
Jackson, MS
$49,704/yr
Our recommendation: Jackson, MS
Jackson offers $269 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Lakewood
Jackson
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$61,532
$49,704
+$11,828
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$3,743
$3,024
+$719
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
109
72
+37 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,925
$1,937
+$988
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,750
$980
+$770
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$818
$1,087
$269
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.28×
1.56×
-0.28×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
4/10 (Tight)
6/10 (Moderate)
-2
A vs B
Lakewood — Full Details
Jackson — 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.