Salary Comparison
Physicists: Sunnyvale vs Fort Lauderdale
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Sunnyvale, CA
$133,070/yr
Fort Lauderdale, FL
$219,070/yr
Our recommendation: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Fort Lauderdale offers $6,087 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Sunnyvale
Fort Lauderdale
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$133,070
$219,070
$86,000
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$8,095
$13,327
$5,232
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
152
120
+32 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$4,083
$3,228
+$855
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$2,650
$1,980
+$670
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$4,012
$10,099
$6,087
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.98×
4.13×
-2.15×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
7/10 (Moderate)
10/10 (Comfortable)
-3
A vs B
Sunnyvale — Full Details
Fort Lauderdale — 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.