Salary Comparison
Physicists: Ames vs Miramar
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Ames, IA
$151,768/yr
Miramar, FL
$219,070/yr
Our recommendation: Miramar, FL
Miramar offers $3,432 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Ames
Miramar
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$151,768
$219,070
$67,302
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$9,233
$13,327
$4,094
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
89
111
-22 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,306
$2,968
$662
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,326
$1,780
$454
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$6,927
$10,359
$3,432
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
4.00×
4.49×
-0.49×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
10/10 (Comfortable)
+0
A vs B
Ames — Full Details
Miramar — 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.