Salary Comparison
Physicists: Champaign vs San Jose
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Champaign, IL
$156,838/yr
San Jose, CA
$214,520/yr
Our recommendation: San Jose, CA
San Jose offers $1,824 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Champaign
San Jose
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$156,838
$214,520
$57,682
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$9,541
$13,050
$3,509
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
88
148
-60 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,280
$3,965
$1,685
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,311
$2,550
$1,239
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$7,261
$9,085
$1,824
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
4.18×
3.29×
+0.89×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
10/10 (Comfortable)
+0
A vs B
Champaign — Full Details
San Jose — 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.