The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Nuclear Engineers: Jackson vs Kailua

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

Jackson, MS

$110,414/yr

Take-home$6,717/mo
Disposable$4,780/mo
Lifestyle10/10 · Comfortable

Kailua, HI

$164,559/yr

Take-home$10,011/mo
Disposable$6,176/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Jackson

Kailua

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$110,414

$164,559

$54,145

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$6,717

$10,011

$3,294

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

72

148

-76 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$1,937

$3,835

$1,898

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$980

$2,206

$1,226

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,780

$6,176

$1,396

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

3.47×

2.61×

+0.86×

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.