Salary Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers: El Cajon vs Redmond
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
El Cajon, CA
$140,890/yr
Redmond, WA
$174,070/yr
Our recommendation: Redmond, WA
Redmond offers $1,648 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
El Cajon
Redmond
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$140,890
$174,070
$33,180
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$8,571
$10,589
$2,018
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
114
132
-18 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$3,050
$3,420
$370
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,850
$1,967
$117
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$5,521
$7,169
$1,648
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
2.81×
3.10×
-0.29×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
9/10 (Comfortable)
10/10 (Comfortable)
-1
A vs B
El Cajon — 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.