Salary Comparison
Physicians: Columbia vs San Mateo
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Columbia, MD
$179,004/yr
San Mateo, CA
$77,840/yr
Our recommendation: Columbia, MD
Columbia offers $7,054 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Columbia
San Mateo
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$179,004
$77,840
+$101,164
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$10,889
$4,735
+$6,154
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
124
158
-34 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$3,333
$4,233
$900
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$2,050
$2,780
$730
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$7,556
$502
+$7,054
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
3.27×
1.12×
+2.15×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
4/10 (Tight)
+6
A vs B
Columbia — Full Details
San Mateo — 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.