Salary Comparison
Security Guards: Chicago vs San Jose
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Chicago, IL
$38,630/yr
San Jose, CA
$45,930/yr
Our recommendation: Chicago, IL
Chicago offers $611 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Chicago
San Jose
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$38,630
$45,930
$7,300
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$2,350
$2,794
$444
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
108
148
-40 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,910
$3,965
$1,055
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,750
$2,550
$800
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$-560
$-1,171
+$611
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
0.81×
0.70×
+0.11×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
2/10 (Tight)
2/10 (Tight)
+0
A vs B
Chicago — 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.