Salary Comparison
Physicists: Riverside vs Austin
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Riverside, CA
$178,133/yr
Austin, TX
$129,380/yr
Our recommendation: Riverside, CA
Riverside offers $2,850 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Riverside
Austin
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$178,133
$129,380
+$48,753
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$10,836
$7,871
+$2,965
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
109
105
+4 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,940
$2,825
+$115
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,750
$1,680
+$70
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$7,896
$5,046
+$2,850
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
3.69×
2.79×
+0.90×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
9/10 (Comfortable)
+1
A vs B
Riverside — 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.