Salary Comparison
Software Developers: Ames vs Everett
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Ames, IA
$118,088/yr
Everett, WA
$169,340/yr
Our recommendation: Everett, WA
Everett offers $2,581 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Ames
Everett
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$118,088
$169,340
$51,252
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$7,184
$10,302
$3,118
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
89
106
-17 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,306
$2,843
$537
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,326
$1,680
$354
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$4,878
$7,459
$2,581
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
3.12×
3.62×
-0.50×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
10/10 (Comfortable)
+0
A vs B
Everett — 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.