The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Electronics Engineers: Elgin vs San Jose

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

Elgin, IL

$120,042/yr

Take-home$7,303/mo
Disposable$4,896/mo
Lifestyle10/10 · Comfortable

San Jose, CA

$179,050/yr

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

Full Breakdown

Elgin

San Jose

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$120,042

$179,050

$59,008

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$7,303

$10,892

$3,589

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

$3,965

$1,558

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,350

$2,550

$1,200

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,896

$6,927

$2,031

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

3.03×

2.75×

+0.28×

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.