Salary Comparison
Software Developers: Wilkes-Barre vs Sunnyvale
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$120,455/yr
Sunnyvale, CA
$155,330/yr
Our recommendation: Wilkes-Barre, PA
Wilkes-Barre offers higher purchasing power (10 vs 8/10), giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Wilkes-Barre
Sunnyvale
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$120,455
$155,330
$34,875
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$7,328
$9,449
$2,121
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
80
152
-72 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,072
$4,083
$2,011
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,192
$2,650
$1,458
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$5,256
$5,366
$110
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
3.54×
2.31×
+1.23×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
8/10 (Comfortable)
+2
A vs B
Wilkes-Barre — Full Details
Sunnyvale — 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.