Salary Comparison
Hydrologists: Hackensack vs Phoenix
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Hackensack, NJ
$108,603/yr
Phoenix, AZ
$75,100/yr
Our recommendation: Hackensack, NJ
Hackensack offers $1,822 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Hackensack
Phoenix
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$108,603
$75,100
+$33,503
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$6,607
$4,569
+$2,038
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
112
100
+12 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,901
$2,685
+$216
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,669
$1,550
+$119
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$3,706
$1,884
+$1,822
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
2.28×
1.70×
+0.58×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
8/10 (Comfortable)
6/10 (Moderate)
+2
A vs B
Hackensack — Full Details
Phoenix — 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.