The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Software Developers: Lexington vs San Francisco

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

Lexington, KY

$114,143/yr

Take-home$6,944/mo
Disposable$4,846/mo
Lifestyle10/10 · Comfortable

San Francisco, CA

$174,910/yr

Take-home$10,640/mo
Disposable$6,485/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Lexington

San Francisco

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$114,143

$174,910

$60,767

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$6,944

$10,640

$3,696

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

78

155

-77 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,098

$4,155

$2,057

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,120

$2,680

$1,560

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,846

$6,485

$1,639

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

3.31×

2.56×

+0.75×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

10/10 (Comfortable)

9/10 (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.