Salary Comparison
Physicists: Durham vs West Palm Beach
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Durham, NC
$162,923/yr
West Palm Beach, FL
$219,070/yr
Our recommendation: West Palm Beach, FL
West Palm Beach offers $2,838 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Durham
West Palm Beach
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$162,923
$219,070
$56,147
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$9,911
$13,327
$3,416
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
94
115
-21 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,520
$3,098
$578
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,450
$1,880
$430
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$7,391
$10,229
$2,838
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
3.93×
4.30×
-0.37×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
10/10 (Comfortable)
+0
A vs B
Durham — Full Details
West Palm Beach — 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.