Salary Comparison
Materials Scientists: Hackensack vs Houston
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Hackensack, NJ
$116,480/yr
Houston, TX
$79,900/yr
Our recommendation: Hackensack, NJ
Hackensack offers $1,739 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Hackensack
Houston
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$116,480
$79,900
+$36,580
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$7,086
$4,861
+$2,225
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
112
90
+22 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,901
$2,415
+$486
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,669
$1,350
+$319
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$4,185
$2,446
+$1,739
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
2.44×
2.01×
+0.43×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
8/10 (Comfortable)
8/10 (Comfortable)
+0
A vs B
Hackensack — Full Details
Houston — 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.