Salary Comparison
Patternmakers: Elgin vs Kailua
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Elgin, IL
$58,665/yr
Kailua, HI
$74,078/yr
Our recommendation: Elgin, IL
Elgin offers $491 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Elgin
Kailua
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$58,665
$74,078
$15,413
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$3,569
$4,506
$937
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
90
148
-58 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,407
$3,835
$1,428
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,350
$2,206
$856
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$1,162
$671
+$491
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.48×
1.17×
+0.31×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
5/10 (Tight)
4/10 (Tight)
+1
A vs B
Elgin — Full Details
Kailua — 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.