The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Software Developers: Alpharetta vs Irvine

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

Alpharetta, GA

$129,923/yr

Take-home$7,904/mo
Disposable$5,261/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Irvine, CA

$155,330/yr

Take-home$9,449/mo
Disposable$5,471/mo
Lifestyle8/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Alpharetta

Irvine

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$129,923

$155,330

$25,407

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$7,904

$9,449

$1,545

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

102

148

-46 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,643

$3,978

$1,335

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,520

$2,580

$1,060

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$5,261

$5,471

$210

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

2.99×

2.38×

+0.61×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

9/10 (Comfortable)

8/10 (Comfortable)

+1

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.