Salary Comparison
Physicists: Bellingham vs Kent
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Bellingham, WA
$166,979/yr
Kent, WA
$112,790/yr
Our recommendation: Bellingham, WA
Bellingham offers $3,472 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Bellingham
Kent
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$166,979
$112,790
+$54,189
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$10,158
$6,861
+$3,297
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
98
105
-7 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,633
$2,808
$175
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,520
$1,650
$130
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$7,525
$4,053
+$3,472
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
3.86×
2.44×
+1.42×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
8/10 (Comfortable)
+2
A vs B
Bellingham — Full Details
Kent — 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.