Salary comparison
Computer Systems Analysts: Pueblo vs Santa Cruz
Pueblo, CO pays about 12.4% more for computer systems analysts on paper — $139,870 vs $124,450. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Pueblo comes out ahead by $15,420 a year in real buying power.
Pueblo, CO
$139,870
$81,740
$141,320
$67.24
100
$139,870/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
Santa Cruz, CA
$124,450
$100,130
$139,540
$59.83
100
$124,450/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $15,420 a year (12.4%) in favor of Pueblo. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Pueblo runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; Santa Cruz sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Pueblo is the better deal by $15,420 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from Santa Cruz to Pueblo for this role, the raise needs to beat 12.4% to come out ahead after living costs. Anything below that and you are earning more on paper but keeping less.
Common questions
Where do computer systems analysts earn more, Pueblo or Santa Cruz?
Pueblo pays $139,870 on median — about 12.4% more than Santa Cruz ($124,450). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Pueblo. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Pueblo gives you roughly$139,870 of real buying power versus $124,450 in the other city.