Salary Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers: Rockford vs San Jose
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Rockford, IL
$110,876/yr
San Jose, CA
$197,090/yr
Our recommendation: San Jose, CA
San Jose offers $3,187 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Rockford
San Jose
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$110,876
$197,090
$86,214
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$6,745
$11,990
$5,245
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
71
148
-77 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$1,907
$3,965
$2,058
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$950
$2,550
$1,600
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$4,838
$8,025
$3,187
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
3.54×
3.02×
+0.52×
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.