Salary Comparison
Materials Scientists: Myrtle Beach vs Berkeley
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Myrtle Beach, SC
$100,834/yr
Berkeley, CA
$126,240/yr
Our recommendation: Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach offers $152 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Myrtle Beach
Berkeley
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$100,834
$126,240
$25,406
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$6,134
$7,680
$1,546
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
88
148
-60 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,280
$3,978
$1,698
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,311
$2,550
$1,239
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$3,854
$3,702
+$152
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
2.69×
1.93×
+0.76×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
9/10 (Comfortable)
7/10 (Moderate)
+2
A vs B
Myrtle Beach — Full Details
Berkeley — Full Details
Salary estimates based on BLS metro data. Cost of living from regional price indices. All figures are estimates; verify with employers before making decisions.