The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Chemical Engineers: Springfield vs San Diego

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

Springfield, MA

$117,754/yr

Take-home$7,163/mo
Disposable$4,568/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

San Diego, CA

$143,655/yr

Take-home$8,739/mo
Disposable$5,174/mo
Lifestyle8/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Springfield

San Diego

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$117,754

$143,655

$25,901

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$7,163

$8,739

$1,576

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

97

133

-36 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,595

$3,565

$970

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,450

$2,250

$800

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,568

$5,174

$606

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

2.76×

2.45×

+0.31×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

9/10 (Comfortable)

8/10 (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.