The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Physicists: Sunnyvale vs Hialeah

Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.

Sunnyvale, CA

$133,070/yr

Take-home$8,095/mo
Disposable$4,012/mo
Lifestyle7/10 ยท Moderate
Best Value

Hialeah, FL

$219,070/yr

Take-home$13,327/mo
Disposable$10,519/mo
Lifestyle10/10 ยท Comfortable
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Hialeah, FL

Hialeah offers $6,507 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.

Full Breakdown

Sunnyvale

Hialeah

Diff (Aโˆ’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

105

+47 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$4,083

$2,808

+$1,275

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$2,650

$1,650

+$1,000

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,012

$10,519

$6,507

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.98ร—

4.75ร—

-2.77ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

7/10 (Moderate)

10/10 (Comfortable)

-3

A vs B

Salary estimates based on BLS metro data. Cost of living from regional price indices. All figures are estimates; verify with employers before making decisions.