Salary Comparison
Web Developers: Ames vs Kent
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Ames, IA
$83,575/yr
Kent, WA
$120,750/yr
Our recommendation: Kent, WA
Kent offers $1,760 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Ames
Kent
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$83,575
$120,750
$37,175
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$5,084
$7,346
$2,262
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
89
105
-16 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,306
$2,808
$502
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,326
$1,650
$324
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$2,778
$4,538
$1,760
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
2.20×
2.62×
-0.42×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
8/10 (Comfortable)
9/10 (Comfortable)
-1
A vs B
Ames — Full Details
Kent — 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.