The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Software Developers: Sarasota vs Irvine

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

Best Value

Sarasota, FL

$129,840/yr

Take-home$7,899/mo
Disposable$5,410/mo
Lifestyle10/10 ยท Comfortable

Irvine, CA

$155,330/yr

Take-home$9,449/mo
Disposable$5,471/mo
Lifestyle8/10 ยท Comfortable
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Sarasota, FL

Sarasota offers higher purchasing power (10 vs 8/10), giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Sarasota

Irvine

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$129,840

$155,330

$25,490

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$7,899

$9,449

$1,550

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

96

148

-52 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,489

$3,978

$1,489

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,431

$2,580

$1,149

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$5,410

$5,471

$61

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

3.17ร—

2.38ร—

+0.79ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

10/10 (Comfortable)

8/10 (Comfortable)

+2

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.