Salary Comparison
Materials Scientists: Jersey City vs Springfield
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Jersey City, NJ
$116,480/yr
Springfield, MA
$106,701/yr
Our recommendation: Springfield, MA
Springfield offers $540 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Jersey City
Springfield
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$116,480
$106,701
+$9,779
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$7,086
$6,491
+$595
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
139
97
+42 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$3,730
$2,595
+$1,135
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$2,350
$1,450
+$900
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$3,356
$3,896
$540
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.90×
2.50×
-0.60×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
7/10 (Moderate)
9/10 (Comfortable)
-2
A vs B
Jersey City — Full Details
Springfield — 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.