Salary Comparison
Physicists: Albany vs Vancouver
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Albany, NY
$171,035/yr
Vancouver, WA
$112,790/yr
Our recommendation: Albany, NY
Albany offers $3,622 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Albany
Vancouver
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$171,035
$112,790
+$58,245
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$10,405
$6,861
+$3,544
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
102
105
-3 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,643
$2,721
$78
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,520
$1,565
$45
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$7,762
$4,140
+$3,622
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
3.94×
2.52×
+1.42×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
9/10 (Comfortable)
+1
A vs B
Albany — Full Details
Vancouver — 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.