The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Physicists: Abilene vs West Palm Beach

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

Abilene, TX

$140,614/yr

Take-home$8,554/mo
Disposable$6,627/mo
Lifestyle10/10 ยท Comfortable
Best Value

West Palm Beach, FL

$219,070/yr

Take-home$13,327/mo
Disposable$10,229/mo
Lifestyle10/10 ยท Comfortable
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: West Palm Beach, FL

West Palm Beach offers $3,602 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.

Full Breakdown

Abilene

West Palm Beach

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$140,614

$219,070

$78,456

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$8,554

$13,327

$4,773

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

72

115

-43 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$1,927

$3,098

$1,171

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$980

$1,880

$900

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$6,627

$10,229

$3,602

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

4.44ร—

4.30ร—

+0.14ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

10/10 (Comfortable)

10/10 (Comfortable)

+0

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.