The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Computer Hardware Engineers: Jackson vs San Diego

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

Jackson, MS

$111,682/yr

Take-home$6,794/mo
Disposable$4,857/mo
Lifestyle10/10 · Comfortable

San Diego, CA

$160,811/yr

Take-home$9,783/mo
Disposable$6,218/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Jackson

San Diego

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$111,682

$160,811

$49,129

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$6,794

$9,783

$2,989

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

72

133

-61 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$1,937

$3,565

$1,628

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$980

$2,250

$1,270

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,857

$6,218

$1,361

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

3.51×

2.74×

+0.77×

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.