The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Plating Machine Setters: San Mateo vs Carrollton

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

San Mateo, CA

$46,390/yr

Take-home$2,822/mo
Disposable$-1,411/mo
Lifestyle1/10 ยท Tight
Best Value

Carrollton, TX

$36,180/yr

Take-home$2,201/mo
Disposable$-376/mo
Lifestyle2/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Carrollton, TX

Carrollton offers $1,035 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

San Mateo

Carrollton

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$46,390

$36,180

+$10,210

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$2,822

$2,201

+$621

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

158

96

+62 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$4,233

$2,577

+$1,656

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$2,780

$1,480

+$1,300

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$-1,411

$-376

$1,035

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

0.67ร—

0.85ร—

-0.18ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

1/10 (Tight)

2/10 (Tight)

-1

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.