The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Ship Engineers: Appleton vs Somerville

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

Appleton, WI

$104,671/yr

Take-home$6,368/mo
Disposable$4,141/mo
Lifestyle9/10 ยท Comfortable
Best Value

Somerville, MA

$147,760/yr

Take-home$8,989/mo
Disposable$5,569/mo
Lifestyle9/10 ยท Comfortable
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Somerville, MA

Somerville offers $1,428 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.

Full Breakdown

Appleton

Somerville

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$104,671

$147,760

$43,089

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$6,368

$8,989

$2,621

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

86

132

-46 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,227

$3,420

$1,193

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,281

$1,967

$686

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,141

$5,569

$1,428

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

2.86ร—

2.63ร—

+0.23ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

9/10 (Comfortable)

9/10 (Comfortable)

+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.