Salary Comparison
Web Developers: Ames vs New Bedford
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Ames, IA
$83,575/yr
New Bedford, MA
$117,560/yr
Our recommendation: New Bedford, MA
New Bedford offers $1,783 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Ames
New Bedford
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$83,575
$117,560
$33,985
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$5,084
$7,152
$2,068
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
89
100
-11 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,306
$2,591
$285
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,326
$1,490
$164
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$2,778
$4,561
$1,783
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
2.20×
2.76×
-0.56×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
8/10 (Comfortable)
9/10 (Comfortable)
-1
A vs B
Ames — Full Details
New Bedford — 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.