The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Database Architects: Great Falls vs Bellevue

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

Best Value

Great Falls, MT

$123,860/yr

Take-home$7,535/mo
Disposable$5,411/mo
Lifestyle10/10 ยท Comfortable

Bellevue, WA

$155,880/yr

Take-home$9,483/mo
Disposable$5,643/mo
Lifestyle8/10 ยท Comfortable
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Great Falls, MT

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

Full Breakdown

Great Falls

Bellevue

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$123,860

$155,880

$32,020

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$7,535

$9,483

$1,948

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

82

143

-61 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,124

$3,840

$1,716

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,222

$2,450

$1,228

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$5,411

$5,643

$232

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

3.55ร—

2.47ร—

+1.08ร—

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.