The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Patternmakers: Oakland vs Dayton

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

Oakland, CA

$65,570/yr

Take-home$3,989/mo
Disposable$399/mo
Lifestyle4/10 ยท Tight
Best Value

Dayton, OH

$49,704/yr

Take-home$3,024/mo
Disposable$1,087/mo
Lifestyle6/10 ยท Moderate
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Dayton, OH

Dayton offers $688 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Oakland

Dayton

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$65,570

$49,704

+$15,866

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$3,989

$3,024

+$965

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

134

72

+62 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$3,590

$1,937

+$1,653

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$2,250

$980

+$1,270

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$399

$1,087

$688

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.11ร—

1.56ร—

-0.45ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

4/10 (Tight)

6/10 (Moderate)

-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.