Salary Comparison
Psychologists: Appleton vs Irvine
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Appleton, WI
$111,747/yr
Irvine, CA
$160,640/yr
Our recommendation: Appleton, WI
Appleton offers higher purchasing power (10 vs 8/10), giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Appleton
Irvine
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$111,747
$160,640
$48,893
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$6,798
$9,772
$2,974
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
86
148
-62 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,227
$3,978
$1,751
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,281
$2,580
$1,299
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$4,571
$5,794
$1,223
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
3.05×
2.46×
+0.59×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
8/10 (Comfortable)
+2
A vs B
Appleton — Full Details
Irvine — 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.