Salary Comparison
Physicians: Palmdale vs Lowell
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Palmdale, CA
$77,840/yr
Lowell, MA
$212,030/yr
Our recommendation: Lowell, MA
Lowell offers $7,859 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Palmdale
Lowell
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$77,840
$212,030
$134,190
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$4,735
$12,899
$8,164
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
95
106
-11 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,553
$2,858
$305
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,450
$1,650
$200
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$2,182
$10,041
$7,859
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.85×
4.51×
-2.66×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
7/10 (Moderate)
10/10 (Comfortable)
-3
A vs B
Palmdale — Full Details
Lowell — 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.