Salary Comparison
Software Developers: Pontiac vs Berkeley
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Pontiac, MI
$119,666/yr
Berkeley, CA
$155,330/yr
Our recommendation: Pontiac, MI
Pontiac offers higher purchasing power (10 vs 8/10), giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Pontiac
Berkeley
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$119,666
$155,330
$35,664
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$7,280
$9,449
$2,169
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
78
148
-70 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,020
$3,978
$1,958
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,162
$2,550
$1,388
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$5,260
$5,471
$211
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
3.60×
2.38×
+1.22×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
8/10 (Comfortable)
+2
A vs B
Pontiac — Full Details
Berkeley — 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.