Salary Comparison
Pipelayers: Champaign vs Fremont
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Champaign, IL
$53,763/yr
Fremont, CA
$82,090/yr
Our recommendation: Fremont, CA
Fremont offers $170 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Champaign
Fremont
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$53,763
$82,090
$28,327
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$3,271
$4,994
$1,723
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
88
143
-55 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,280
$3,833
$1,553
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,311
$2,450
$1,139
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$991
$1,161
$170
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.43×
1.30×
+0.13×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
5/10 (Tight)
5/10 (Tight)
+0
A vs B
Champaign — Full Details
Fremont — 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.