Salary Comparison
Purchasing Managers: Waterloo vs New Bedford
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Waterloo, IA
$120,385/yr
New Bedford, MA
$170,900/yr
Our recommendation: New Bedford, MA
New Bedford offers $2,502 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Waterloo
New Bedford
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$120,385
$170,900
$50,515
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$7,323
$10,396
$3,073
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
78
100
-22 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,020
$2,591
$571
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,162
$1,490
$328
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$5,303
$7,805
$2,502
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
3.63×
4.01×
-0.38×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
10/10 (Comfortable)
+0
A vs B
Waterloo — Full Details
New Bedford — 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.