Salary Comparison
Separating: San Mateo vs Abilene
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
San Mateo, CA
$61,550/yr
Abilene, TX
$40,924/yr
Our recommendation: Abilene, TX
Abilene offers $1,052 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
San Mateo
Abilene
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$61,550
$40,924
+$20,626
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$3,744
$2,490
+$1,254
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
158
72
+86 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$4,233
$1,927
+$2,306
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$2,780
$980
+$1,800
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$-489
$563
$1,052
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
0.88×
1.29×
-0.41×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
2/10 (Tight)
4/10 (Tight)
-2
A vs B
San Mateo — Full Details
Abilene — 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.