The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Materials Engineers: Gulfport vs Kailua

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

Best Value

Gulfport, MS

$93,651/yr

Take-home$5,697/mo
Disposable$3,935/mo
Lifestyle10/10 ยท Comfortable

Kailua, HI

$137,592/yr

Take-home$8,370/mo
Disposable$4,535/mo
Lifestyle8/10 ยท Comfortable
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Gulfport, MS

Gulfport offers higher purchasing power (10 vs 8/10), giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Gulfport

Kailua

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$93,651

$137,592

$43,941

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$5,697

$8,370

$2,673

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

68

148

-80 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$1,762

$3,835

$2,073

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,013

$2,206

$1,193

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$3,935

$4,535

$600

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

3.23ร—

2.18ร—

+1.05ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

10/10 (Comfortable)

8/10 (Comfortable)

+2

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.