Salary Comparison
Software Developers: Berkeley vs Birmingham
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Berkeley, CA
$155,330/yr
Birmingham, AL
$107,831/yr
Our recommendation: Birmingham, AL
Birmingham offers higher purchasing power (10 vs 8/10), giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Berkeley
Birmingham
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$155,330
$107,831
+$47,499
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$9,449
$6,560
+$2,889
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
148
70
+78 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$3,978
$1,814
+$2,164
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$2,550
$1,043
+$1,507
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$5,471
$4,746
+$725
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
2.38×
3.62×
-1.24×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
8/10 (Comfortable)
10/10 (Comfortable)
-2
A vs B
Berkeley — Full Details
Birmingham — 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.