Salary Comparison
Physicists: Hackensack vs Berkeley
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Hackensack, NJ
$181,176/yr
Berkeley, CA
$133,070/yr
Our recommendation: Hackensack, NJ
Hackensack offers $4,004 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Hackensack
Berkeley
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$181,176
$133,070
+$48,106
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$11,022
$8,095
+$2,927
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
112
148
-36 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,901
$3,978
$1,077
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,669
$2,550
$881
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$8,121
$4,117
+$4,004
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
3.80×
2.03×
+1.77×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
8/10 (Comfortable)
+2
A vs B
Hackensack — Full Details
Berkeley — 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.