Salary Comparison
Patternmakers: Chattanooga vs Hilo
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Chattanooga, TN
$57,231/yr
Hilo, HI
$74,078/yr
Our recommendation: Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga offers $104 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Chattanooga
Hilo
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$57,231
$74,078
$16,847
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$3,482
$4,506
$1,024
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
83
130
-47 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,240
$3,368
$1,128
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,220
$1,937
$717
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$1,242
$1,138
+$104
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.55×
1.34×
+0.21×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
6/10 (Moderate)
5/10 (Tight)
+1
A vs B
Chattanooga — Full Details
Hilo — 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.