The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Materials Scientists: Myrtle Beach vs Kailua

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

Myrtle Beach, SC

$100,834/yr

Take-home$6,134/mo
Disposable$3,854/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Kailua, HI

$134,735/yr

Take-home$8,196/mo
Disposable$4,361/mo
Lifestyle8/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Myrtle Beach

Kailua

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$100,834

$134,735

$33,901

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$6,134

$8,196

$2,062

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

88

148

-60 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,280

$3,835

$1,555

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,311

$2,206

$895

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$3,854

$4,361

$507

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

2.69×

2.14×

+0.55×

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.