Salary Comparison
Software Developers: Charleston vs Burbank
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Charleston, SC
$122,822/yr
Burbank, CA
$155,330/yr
Our recommendation: Charleston, SC
Charleston offers higher purchasing power (10 vs 8/10), giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Charleston
Burbank
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$122,822
$155,330
$32,508
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$7,472
$9,449
$1,977
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
81
142
-61 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,098
$3,823
$1,725
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,207
$2,450
$1,243
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$5,374
$5,626
$252
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
3.56×
2.47×
+1.09×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
8/10 (Comfortable)
+2
A vs B
Charleston — Full Details
Burbank — 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.