The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Software Developers: Farmington vs Sunnyvale

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

Best Value

Farmington, NM

$116,510/yr

Take-home$7,088/mo
Disposable$4,990/mo
Lifestyle10/10 ยท Comfortable

Sunnyvale, CA

$155,330/yr

Take-home$9,449/mo
Disposable$5,366/mo
Lifestyle8/10 ยท Comfortable
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Farmington, NM

Farmington offers higher purchasing power (10 vs 8/10), giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Farmington

Sunnyvale

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$116,510

$155,330

$38,820

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$7,088

$9,449

$2,361

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

81

152

-71 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,098

$4,083

$1,985

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,207

$2,650

$1,443

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,990

$5,366

$376

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

3.38ร—

2.31ร—

+1.07ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

10/10 (Comfortable)

8/10 (Comfortable)

+2

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.