The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Computer Hardware Engineers: Naperville vs Somerville

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

Naperville, IL

$131,817/yr

Take-home$8,019/mo
Disposable$4,976/mo
Lifestyle9/10 ยท Comfortable
Best Value

Somerville, MA

$170,570/yr

Take-home$10,376/mo
Disposable$6,956/mo
Lifestyle10/10 ยท Comfortable
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Somerville, MA

Somerville offers $1,980 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.

Full Breakdown

Naperville

Somerville

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$131,817

$170,570

$38,753

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$8,019

$10,376

$2,357

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

113

132

-19 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$3,043

$3,420

$377

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,850

$1,967

$117

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,976

$6,956

$1,980

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

2.64ร—

3.03ร—

-0.39ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

9/10 (Comfortable)

10/10 (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.