Salary Comparison
Materials Scientists: Cedar Park vs Chicago
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Cedar Park, TX
$91,850/yr
Chicago, IL
$130,440/yr
Our recommendation: Chicago, IL
Chicago offers $2,054 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Cedar Park
Chicago
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$91,850
$130,440
$38,590
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$5,588
$7,935
$2,347
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
101
108
-7 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,617
$2,910
$293
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,505
$1,750
$245
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$2,971
$5,025
$2,054
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
2.14×
2.73×
-0.59×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
8/10 (Comfortable)
9/10 (Comfortable)
-1
A vs B
Cedar Park — Full Details
Chicago — 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.