Salary Comparison
Software Developers: Alpharetta vs San Mateo
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Alpharetta, GA
$129,923/yr
San Mateo, CA
$155,330/yr
Our recommendation: Alpharetta, GA
Alpharetta offers $45 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Alpharetta
San Mateo
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
158
-56 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,643
$4,233
$1,590
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,520
$2,780
$1,260
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$5,261
$5,216
+$45
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
2.99×
2.23×
+0.76×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
9/10 (Comfortable)
8/10 (Comfortable)
+1
A vs B
Alpharetta — Full Details
San Mateo — 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.