Salary Comparison
Transportation Workers: Appleton vs San Francisco
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Appleton, WI
$37,389/yr
San Francisco, CA
$55,080/yr
Our recommendation: Appleton, WI
Appleton offers $852 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Appleton
San Francisco
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$37,389
$55,080
$17,691
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$2,275
$3,351
$1,076
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
86
155
-69 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,227
$4,155
$1,928
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,281
$2,680
$1,399
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$48
$-804
+$852
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.02×
0.81×
+0.21×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
3/10 (Tight)
2/10 (Tight)
+1
A vs B
Appleton — Full Details
San Francisco — 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.