The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Software Developers: Hayward vs Abilene

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

Hayward, CA

$155,330/yr

Take-home$9,449/mo
Disposable$6,111/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Abilene, TX

$109,409/yr

Take-home$6,656/mo
Disposable$4,729/mo
Lifestyle10/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Hayward

Abilene

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$155,330

$109,409

+$45,921

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$9,449

$6,656

+$2,793

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

124

72

+52 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$3,338

$1,927

+$1,411

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$2,050

$980

+$1,070

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$6,111

$4,729

+$1,382

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

2.83×

3.45×

-0.62×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

9/10 (Comfortable)

10/10 (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.