The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Rolling Machine Setters: Lansing vs Tacoma

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

Lansing, MI

$42,511/yr

Take-home$2,586/mo
Disposable$596/mo
Lifestyle5/10 ยท Tight
Best Value

Tacoma, WA

$59,120/yr

Take-home$3,597/mo
Disposable$827/mo
Lifestyle5/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Tacoma, WA

Tacoma offers $231 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.

Full Breakdown

Lansing

Tacoma

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$42,511

$59,120

$16,609

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$2,586

$3,597

$1,011

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

74

103

-29 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$1,990

$2,770

$780

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,020

$1,620

$600

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$596

$827

$231

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.30ร—

1.30ร—

+0.00ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

5/10 (Tight)

5/10 (Tight)

+0

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.