Salary Comparison
Engineers: Pasadena vs San Jose
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Pasadena, CA
$122,000/yr
San Jose, CA
$157,770/yr
Our recommendation: San Jose, CA
San Jose offers $1,911 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Pasadena
San Jose
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$122,000
$157,770
$35,770
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$7,422
$9,598
$2,176
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
138
148
-10 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$3,700
$3,965
$265
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$2,350
$2,550
$200
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$3,722
$5,633
$1,911
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
2.01×
2.42×
-0.41×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
8/10 (Comfortable)
8/10 (Comfortable)
+0
A vs B
Pasadena — Full Details
San Jose — 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.