The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Surgeons: Columbus vs Denton

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

Columbus, GA

$160,719/yr

Take-home$9,777/mo
Disposable$7,757/mo
Lifestyle10/10 ยท Comfortable
Best Value

Denton, TX

$215,010/yr

Take-home$13,080/mo
Disposable$10,540/mo
Lifestyle10/10 ยท Comfortable
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Denton, TX

Denton offers $2,783 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.

Full Breakdown

Columbus

Denton

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$160,719

$215,010

$54,291

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$9,777

$13,080

$3,303

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

78

95

-17 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,020

$2,540

$520

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,162

$1,450

$288

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$7,757

$10,540

$2,783

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

4.84ร—

5.15ร—

-0.31ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

10/10 (Comfortable)

10/10 (Comfortable)

+0

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.