The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Materials Scientists: Hilo vs Saginaw

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

Hilo, HI

$134,735/yr

Take-home$8,196/mo
Disposable$4,828/mo
Lifestyle8/10 · Comfortable

Saginaw, MI

$90,403/yr

Take-home$5,500/mo
Disposable$3,633/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Hilo

Saginaw

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$134,735

$90,403

+$44,332

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$8,196

$5,500

+$2,696

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

130

72

+58 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$3,368

$1,867

+$1,501

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,937

$1,073

+$864

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,828

$3,633

+$1,195

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

2.43×

2.95×

-0.52×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

8/10 (Comfortable)

9/10 (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.