Salary Comparison
Software Developers: Great Falls vs Sunnyvale
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Great Falls, MT
$117,299/yr
Sunnyvale, CA
$155,330/yr
Our recommendation: Great Falls, MT
Great Falls offers higher purchasing power (10 vs 8/10), giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Great Falls
Sunnyvale
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$117,299
$155,330
$38,031
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$7,136
$9,449
$2,313
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
82
152
-70 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,124
$4,083
$1,959
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,222
$2,650
$1,428
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$5,012
$5,366
$354
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
3.36×
2.31×
+1.05×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
8/10 (Comfortable)
+2
A vs B
Great Falls — Full Details
Sunnyvale — 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.