Salary Comparison
Physicists: Naperville vs Nashville
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Naperville, IL
$165,965/yr
Nashville, TN
$226,750/yr
Our recommendation: Nashville, TN
Nashville offers $4,041 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Naperville
Nashville
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$165,965
$226,750
$60,785
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$10,096
$13,794
$3,698
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
113
101
+12 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$3,043
$2,700
+$343
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,850
$1,590
+$260
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$7,053
$11,094
$4,041
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
3.32×
5.11×
-1.79×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
10/10 (Comfortable)
+0
A vs B
Naperville — Full Details
Nashville — 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.