Salary Comparison
Patternmakers: Utica vs San Diego
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Utica, NY
$54,005/yr
San Diego, CA
$71,569/yr
Our recommendation: Utica, NY
Utica offers $319 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Utica
San Diego
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$54,005
$71,569
$17,564
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$3,285
$4,354
$1,069
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
84
133
-49 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,177
$3,565
$1,388
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,252
$2,250
$998
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$1,108
$789
+$319
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.51×
1.22×
+0.29×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
6/10 (Moderate)
4/10 (Tight)
+2
A vs B
Utica — Full Details
San Diego — 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.