Salary Comparison
Software Developers: Fort Wayne vs Carlsbad
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Fort Wayne, IN
$110,987/yr
Carlsbad, CA
$155,330/yr
Our recommendation: Fort Wayne, IN
Fort Wayne offers higher purchasing power (10 vs 8/10), giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Fort Wayne
Carlsbad
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$110,987
$155,330
$44,343
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$6,752
$9,449
$2,697
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
74
142
-68 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$1,998
$3,823
$1,825
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,050
$2,450
$1,400
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$4,754
$5,626
$872
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
3.38×
2.47×
+0.91×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
8/10 (Comfortable)
+2
A vs B
Fort Wayne — Full Details
Carlsbad — 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.