Salary Comparison
Surgeons: Ames vs Pearland
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Ames, IA
$166,274/yr
Pearland, TX
$215,010/yr
Our recommendation: Pearland, TX
Pearland offers $2,768 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Ames
Pearland
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$166,274
$215,010
$48,736
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$10,115
$13,080
$2,965
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
89
93
-4 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,306
$2,503
$197
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,326
$1,420
$94
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$7,809
$10,577
$2,768
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
4.39×
5.23×
-0.84×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
10/10 (Comfortable)
+0
A vs B
Ames — Full Details
Pearland — 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.