The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Electronics Engineers: Birmingham vs San Jose

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

Birmingham, AL

$100,238/yr

Take-home$6,098/mo
Disposable$4,284/mo
Lifestyle10/10 · Comfortable

San Jose, CA

$179,050/yr

Take-home$10,892/mo
Disposable$6,927/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Birmingham

San Jose

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$100,238

$179,050

$78,812

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$6,098

$10,892

$4,794

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

70

148

-78 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$1,814

$3,965

$2,151

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,043

$2,550

$1,507

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,284

$6,927

$2,643

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

3.36×

2.75×

+0.61×

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.