The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Nuclear Engineers: Waco vs Hilo

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

Waco, TX

$114,395/yr

Take-home$6,959/mo
Disposable$4,904/mo
Lifestyle10/10 · Comfortable

Hilo, HI

$164,559/yr

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

Full Breakdown

Waco

Hilo

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$114,395

$164,559

$50,164

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$6,959

$10,011

$3,052

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

77

130

-53 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,055

$3,368

$1,313

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,080

$1,937

$857

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,904

$6,643

$1,739

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

3.39×

2.97×

+0.42×

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.