The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Chemical Engineers: Hackensack vs Brownsville

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

Hackensack, NJ

$128,546/yr

Take-home$7,820/mo
Disposable$4,919/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Brownsville, TX

$96,889/yr

Take-home$5,894/mo
Disposable$4,066/mo
Lifestyle10/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Hackensack

Brownsville

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$128,546

$96,889

+$31,657

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$7,820

$5,894

+$1,926

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

112

68

+44 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,901

$1,828

+$1,073

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,669

$920

+$749

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,919

$4,066

+$853

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

2.70×

3.22×

-0.52×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

9/10 (Comfortable)

10/10 (Comfortable)

-1

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.