The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Data Scientists: Charleston vs Bellevue

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

Best Value

Charleston, SC

$104,206/yr

Take-home$6,339/mo
Disposable$4,241/mo
Lifestyle10/10 ยท Comfortable

Bellevue, WA

$157,290/yr

Take-home$9,569/mo
Disposable$5,729/mo
Lifestyle8/10 ยท Comfortable
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Charleston, SC

Charleston offers higher purchasing power (10 vs 8/10), giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Charleston

Bellevue

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$104,206

$157,290

$53,084

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$6,339

$9,569

$3,230

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

81

143

-62 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,098

$3,840

$1,742

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,207

$2,450

$1,243

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,241

$5,729

$1,488

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

3.02ร—

2.49ร—

+0.53ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

10/10 (Comfortable)

8/10 (Comfortable)

+2

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.