The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Electrical Engineers: Appleton vs San Francisco

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

Appleton, WI

$104,738/yr

Take-home$6,372/mo
Disposable$4,145/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

San Francisco, CA

$163,840/yr

Take-home$9,967/mo
Disposable$5,812/mo
Lifestyle8/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Appleton

San Francisco

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$104,738

$163,840

$59,102

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$6,372

$9,967

$3,595

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

86

155

-69 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,227

$4,155

$1,928

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,281

$2,680

$1,399

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,145

$5,812

$1,667

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

2.86×

2.40×

+0.46×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

9/10 (Comfortable)

8/10 (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.