Salary Comparison
Software Developers: Saint Paul vs Berkeley
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Saint Paul, MN
$126,767/yr
Berkeley, CA
$155,330/yr
Our recommendation: Saint Paul, MN
Saint Paul offers higher purchasing power (10 vs 8/10), giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Saint Paul
Berkeley
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$126,767
$155,330
$28,563
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$7,712
$9,449
$1,737
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
92
148
-56 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,468
$3,978
$1,510
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,380
$2,550
$1,170
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$5,244
$5,471
$227
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
3.12×
2.38×
+0.74×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
8/10 (Comfortable)
+2
A vs B
Saint Paul — 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.