The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Psychologists: Jackson vs Costa Mesa

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

Jackson, MS

$102,847/yr

Take-home$6,257/mo
Disposable$4,320/mo
Lifestyle10/10 · Comfortable

Costa Mesa, CA

$160,640/yr

Take-home$9,772/mo
Disposable$6,047/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Jackson

Costa Mesa

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$102,847

$160,640

$57,793

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$6,257

$9,772

$3,515

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

72

139

-67 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$1,937

$3,725

$1,788

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$980

$2,380

$1,400

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,320

$6,047

$1,727

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

3.23×

2.62×

+0.61×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

10/10 (Comfortable)

9/10 (Comfortable)

+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.