LAWYERBy: Elise Dean

FINANCESCity New York, NY Columbia, SC

Estimated Starting Salary $52,530 $51,620

Rent $750 $740

Groceries $350 $365

Transportation $100 (unlimited MTA pass) $100

Utilities $128 $139

Health Insurance $255.34 $224.78

State Income Tax $263.45 $280.76

Leisure/Misc. $200 $200

Dispensable Income $27,434 $27,044

EVALUATION• The cost for most products in New York are relatively comparable to those in Columbia.•Due to the location of the apartment in New York, the rent is less expensive than it apartments located closer to the metropolitan area.•Due to the large amount of disposable income left over for each month, the set monthly leisure expenses could be raised by a few hundred dollars.

JEFFERSON AVE, BROOKLYN, NY

GILLS CREEK PKWY, COLUMBIA, SC

GRADUATE SCHOOL

• Attending graduate school would not increase the salary for a lawyer in either New York, New York or Columbia, South Carolina.

• Clearly, attending law school would benefit an individual, particularly with salary.

FINAL COMMENTS• Overall, I would choose the job in Columbia.

• Although I would end up with more disposable income at the end of each month, the apartment options in Columbia are nicer and for less money than those in New York.

• Although I love the area of New York more than Columbia, one of the strong considerations is the fact that I would most likely spend a large portion of my disposable income on shopping and going out to eat.

COLUMBIA, SC