Salary Comparison
Patternmakers: Elgin vs San Diego
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Elgin, IL
$58,665/yr
San Diego, CA
$71,569/yr
Our recommendation: Elgin, IL
Elgin offers $373 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Elgin
San Diego
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$58,665
$71,569
$12,904
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$3,569
$4,354
$785
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
90
133
-43 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,407
$3,565
$1,158
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,350
$2,250
$900
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$1,162
$789
+$373
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.48×
1.22×
+0.26×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
5/10 (Tight)
4/10 (Tight)
+1
A vs B
Elgin — Full Details
San Diego — 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.