Salary Comparison
Physicists: Boulder vs Tacoma
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Boulder, CO
$196,386/yr
Tacoma, WA
$112,790/yr
Our recommendation: Boulder, CO
Boulder offers $4,453 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Boulder
Tacoma
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$196,386
$112,790
+$83,596
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$11,947
$6,861
+$5,086
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
127
103
+24 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$3,403
$2,770
+$633
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$2,150
$1,620
+$530
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$8,544
$4,091
+$4,453
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
3.51×
2.48×
+1.03×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
8/10 (Comfortable)
+2
A vs B
Boulder — Full Details
Tacoma — 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.