The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Software Developers: Billings vs San Francisco

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

Billings, MT

$119,666/yr

Take-home$7,280/mo
Disposable$4,997/mo
Lifestyle10/10 · Comfortable

San Francisco, CA

$174,910/yr

Take-home$10,640/mo
Disposable$6,485/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Billings

San Francisco

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$119,666

$174,910

$55,244

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$7,280

$10,640

$3,360

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

85

155

-70 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,283

$4,155

$1,872

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,250

$2,680

$1,430

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,997

$6,485

$1,488

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

3.19×

2.56×

+0.63×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

10/10 (Comfortable)

9/10 (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.