The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Computer Hardware Engineers: Fort Collins vs Bellevue

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

Fort Collins, CO

$135,844/yr

Take-home$8,264/mo
Disposable$5,514/mo
Lifestyle10/10 · Comfortable

Bellevue, WA

$174,070/yr

Take-home$10,589/mo
Disposable$6,749/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Fort Collins

Bellevue

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$135,844

$174,070

$38,226

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$8,264

$10,589

$2,325

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

102

143

-41 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,750

$3,840

$1,090

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,620

$2,450

$830

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$5,514

$6,749

$1,235

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

3.01×

2.76×

+0.25×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

10/10 (Comfortable)

9/10 (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.