The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Hydrologists: Riverside vs Birmingham

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

Riverside, CA

$106,780/yr

Take-home$6,496/mo
Disposable$3,556/mo
Lifestyle8/10 · Comfortable

Birmingham, AL

$83,073/yr

Take-home$5,054/mo
Disposable$3,240/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Riverside

Birmingham

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$106,780

$83,073

+$23,707

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$6,496

$5,054

+$1,442

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

109

70

+39 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,940

$1,814

+$1,126

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,750

$1,043

+$707

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$3,556

$3,240

+$316

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

2.21×

2.79×

-0.58×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

8/10 (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.