Salary Comparison

iOS Developer Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs Philadelphia, PA

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Los Angeles, CA
$195,249
/ year
+30%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$150,308
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Los Angeles
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$195,249โœ“ higher
$150,308
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$126,267โœ“ higher
$97,203
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$301,918โœ“ higher
$232,425
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$130,591โœ“ higher
$101,430
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$141,485โœ“ higher
$139,174
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38ร—
1.08ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$126,267โœ“ higher
$97,203
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$301,918โœ“ higher
$232,425

What if you move from Los Angeles to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$44,941
30% decrease
Take-home change
$29,161
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$2,311
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Los Angeles, CA$195,249
P10: $126,267Median: $195,249P90: $301,918
Philadelphia, PA$150,308
P10: $97,203Median: $150,308P90: $232,425

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a iOS Developer earn more in Los Angeles or Philadelphia?

The median iOS Developer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $195,249/yr compared to $150,308/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Los Angeles pays 30% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a iOS Developer salary worth more in Los Angeles or Philadelphia after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Los Angeles salary has the purchasing power of $141,485/yr in a median-cost city, vs $139,174/yr for Philadelphia. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a iOS Developer in Los Angeles vs Philadelphia?

After estimated taxes, a iOS Developer in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $130,591/yr, vs $101,430/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.