Salary Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers: Billings vs Kirkland
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Billings, MT
$122,152/yr
Kirkland, WA
$174,070/yr
Our recommendation: Kirkland, WA
Kirkland offers $2,124 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Billings
Kirkland
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$122,152
$174,070
$51,918
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$7,431
$10,589
$3,158
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
85
128
-43 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,283
$3,317
$1,034
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,250
$1,908
$658
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$5,148
$7,272
$2,124
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
3.25×
3.19×
+0.06×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
10/10 (Comfortable)
+0
A vs B
Billings — 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.