The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Software Developers: Waco vs Costa Mesa

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

Waco, TX

$113,354/yr

Take-home$6,896/mo
Disposable$4,841/mo
Lifestyle10/10 · Comfortable

Costa Mesa, CA

$155,330/yr

Take-home$9,449/mo
Disposable$5,724/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Waco

Costa Mesa

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$113,354

$155,330

$41,976

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$6,896

$9,449

$2,553

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

77

139

-62 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,055

$3,725

$1,670

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,080

$2,380

$1,300

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,841

$5,724

$883

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

3.36×

2.54×

+0.82×

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.