Salary Comparison
Welding: Chicago vs Detroit
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Chicago, IL
$47,100/yr
Detroit, MI
$38,260/yr
Our recommendation: Detroit, MI
Detroit offers $398 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Chicago
Detroit
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$47,100
$38,260
+$8,840
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$2,865
$2,328
+$537
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
108
74
+34 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,910
$1,975
+$935
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,750
$980
+$770
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$-45
$353
$398
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
0.98×
1.18×
-0.20×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
3/10 (Tight)
4/10 (Tight)
-1
A vs B
Chicago — Full Details
Detroit — 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.