The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Cardiologists: Ames vs Kailua

Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.

Ames, IA

$123,664/yr

Take-home$7,523/mo
Disposable$5,217/mo
Lifestyle10/10 · Comfortable

Kailua, HI

$170,760/yr

Take-home$10,388/mo
Disposable$6,553/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Ames

Kailua

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$123,664

$170,760

$47,096

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$7,523

$10,388

$2,865

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

89

148

-59 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,306

$3,835

$1,529

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,326

$2,206

$880

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$5,217

$6,553

$1,336

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

3.26×

2.71×

+0.55×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

10/10 (Comfortable)

9/10 (Comfortable)

+1

A vs B

Salary estimates based on BLS metro data. Cost of living from regional price indices. All figures are estimates; verify with employers before making decisions.