The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Pipelayers: Fayetteville vs Kent

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

Fayetteville, NC

$49,939/yr

Take-home$3,038/mo
Disposable$978/mo
Lifestyle5/10 ยท Tight
Best Value

Kent, WA

$82,660/yr

Take-home$5,029/mo
Disposable$2,221/mo
Lifestyle7/10 ยท Moderate
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Kent, WA

Kent offers $1,243 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.

Full Breakdown

Fayetteville

Kent

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$49,939

$82,660

$32,721

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$3,038

$5,029

$1,991

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

77

105

-28 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,060

$2,808

$748

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,080

$1,650

$570

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$978

$2,221

$1,243

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.47ร—

1.79ร—

-0.32ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

5/10 (Tight)

7/10 (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.