Salary Comparison
Separating: Fairbanks vs San Mateo
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Fairbanks, AK
$48,598/yr
San Mateo, CA
$61,550/yr
Our recommendation: Fairbanks, AK
Fairbanks offers $906 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Fairbanks
San Mateo
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$48,598
$61,550
$12,952
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$2,956
$3,744
$788
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
98
158
-60 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,539
$4,233
$1,694
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,460
$2,780
$1,320
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$417
$-489
+$906
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.16×
0.88×
+0.28×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
4/10 (Tight)
2/10 (Tight)
+2
A vs B
Fairbanks — Full Details
San Mateo — 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.