Salary Comparison
Physicists: Scranton vs Cleveland
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Scranton, PA
$153,796/yr
Cleveland, OH
$225,930/yr
Our recommendation: Cleveland, OH
Cleveland offers $4,590 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Scranton
Cleveland
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$153,796
$225,930
$72,134
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$9,356
$13,744
$4,388
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
85
74
+11 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,202
$2,000
+$202
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,267
$1,020
+$247
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$7,154
$11,744
$4,590
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
4.25×
6.87×
-2.62×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
10/10 (Comfortable)
+0
A vs B
Scranton — Full Details
Cleveland — 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.