The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Nuclear Engineers: Cedar Rapids vs Hilo

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

Cedar Rapids, IA

$112,803/yr

Take-home$6,862/mo
Disposable$4,849/mo
Lifestyle10/10 · Comfortable

Hilo, HI

$164,559/yr

Take-home$10,011/mo
Disposable$6,643/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Cedar Rapids

Hilo

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$112,803

$164,559

$51,756

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$6,862

$10,011

$3,149

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

75

130

-55 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,013

$3,368

$1,355

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,050

$1,937

$887

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,849

$6,643

$1,794

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

3.41×

2.97×

+0.44×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

10/10 (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.