The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Sound Engineering Technicians: Plano vs Bellevue

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

Plano, TX

$60,050/yr

Take-home$3,653/mo
Disposable$858/mo
Lifestyle5/10 ยท Tight
Best Value

Bellevue, WA

$119,600/yr

Take-home$7,276/mo
Disposable$3,436/mo
Lifestyle7/10 ยท Moderate
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Bellevue, WA

Bellevue offers $2,578 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.

Full Breakdown

Plano

Bellevue

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$60,050

$119,600

$59,550

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$3,653

$7,276

$3,623

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

104

143

-39 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,795

$3,840

$1,045

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,650

$2,450

$800

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$858

$3,436

$2,578

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.31ร—

1.89ร—

-0.58ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

5/10 (Tight)

7/10 (Moderate)

-2

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.