Salary Comparison
Physicists: Redding vs Austin
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Redding, CA
$177,119/yr
Austin, TX
$129,380/yr
Our recommendation: Redding, CA
Redding offers $2,931 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Redding
Austin
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$177,119
$129,380
+$47,739
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$10,775
$7,871
+$2,904
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
108
105
+3 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,798
$2,825
$27
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,610
$1,680
$70
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$7,977
$5,046
+$2,931
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
3.85×
2.79×
+1.06×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
9/10 (Comfortable)
+1
A vs B
Redding — Full Details
Austin — 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.