Salary Comparison
Electronics Engineers: Elgin vs Kailua
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Elgin, IL
$120,042/yr
Kailua, HI
$151,580/yr
Our recommendation: Elgin, IL
Elgin offers higher purchasing power (10 vs 8/10), giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Elgin
Kailua
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$120,042
$151,580
$31,538
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$7,303
$9,221
$1,918
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
90
148
-58 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,407
$3,835
$1,428
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,350
$2,206
$856
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$4,896
$5,386
$490
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
3.03×
2.40×
+0.63×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
8/10 (Comfortable)
+2
A vs B
Elgin — 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.