Salary Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers: Rockford vs Kirkland
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Rockford, IL
$110,876/yr
Kirkland, WA
$174,070/yr
Our recommendation: Kirkland, WA
Kirkland offers $2,434 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Rockford
Kirkland
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$110,876
$174,070
$63,194
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$6,745
$10,589
$3,844
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
71
128
-57 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$1,907
$3,317
$1,410
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$950
$1,908
$958
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$4,838
$7,272
$2,434
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
3.54×
3.19×
+0.35×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
10/10 (Comfortable)
+0
A vs B
Rockford — 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.