Salary Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers: Edison vs Chicago
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Edison, NJ
$143,898/yr
Chicago, IL
$107,720/yr
Our recommendation: Edison, NJ
Edison offers $1,768 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Edison
Chicago
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$143,898
$107,720
+$36,178
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$8,754
$6,553
+$2,201
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
125
108
+17 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$3,343
$2,910
+$433
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$2,050
$1,750
+$300
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$5,411
$3,643
+$1,768
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
2.62×
2.25×
+0.37×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
9/10 (Comfortable)
8/10 (Comfortable)
+1
A vs B
Edison — 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.