Salary Comparison
Electronics Engineers: Waukegan vs Kailua
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Waukegan, IL
$120,042/yr
Kailua, HI
$151,580/yr
Our recommendation: Waukegan, IL
Waukegan offers higher purchasing power (10 vs 8/10), giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Waukegan
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
88
148
-60 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,280
$3,835
$1,555
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,311
$2,206
$895
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$5,023
$5,386
$363
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
3.20×
2.40×
+0.80×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
8/10 (Comfortable)
+2
A vs B
Waukegan — 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.