Salary Comparison
Microbiologists: Champaign vs San Mateo
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Champaign, IL
$76,226/yr
San Mateo, CA
$100,820/yr
Our recommendation: Champaign, IL
Champaign offers $457 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Champaign
San Mateo
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$76,226
$100,820
$24,594
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$4,637
$6,133
$1,496
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
88
158
-70 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,280
$4,233
$1,953
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,311
$2,780
$1,469
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$2,357
$1,900
+$457
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
2.03×
1.45×
+0.58×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
8/10 (Comfortable)
5/10 (Tight)
+3
A vs B
Champaign — Full Details
San Mateo — 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.