Salary comparison
Packers and Packagers, Hand: Lawrence vs San Jose
Lawrence, KS pays about 4.6% more for packers and packagers, hand on paper — $44,370 vs $42,410. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Lawrence comes out ahead by $1,960 a year in real buying power.
Lawrence, KS
$44,370
$35,760
$44,370
$21.33
100
$44,370/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
San Jose, CA
$42,410
$37,340
$46,710
$20.39
100
$42,410/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $1,960 a year (4.6%) in favor of Lawrence. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Lawrence runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; San Jose sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Lawrence is the better deal by $1,960 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from San Jose to Lawrence for this role, the raise needs to beat 4.6% to come out ahead after living costs. Anything below that and you are earning more on paper but keeping less.
Common questions
Where do packers and packagers, hand earn more, Lawrence or San Jose?
Lawrence pays $44,370 on median — about 4.6% more than San Jose ($42,410). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Lawrence. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Lawrence gives you roughly$44,370 of real buying power versus $42,410 in the other city.