The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Materials Engineers: La Crosse vs Hilo

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

La Crosse, WI

$100,309/yr

Take-home$6,102/mo
Disposable$3,925/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Hilo, HI

$137,592/yr

Take-home$8,370/mo
Disposable$5,002/mo
Lifestyle8/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

La Crosse

Hilo

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$100,309

$137,592

$37,283

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$6,102

$8,370

$2,268

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

84

130

-46 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,177

$3,368

$1,191

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,252

$1,937

$685

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$3,925

$5,002

$1,077

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

2.80×

2.49×

+0.31×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

9/10 (Comfortable)

8/10 (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.