Salary Comparison
Actuaries: Appleton vs Bethesda
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Appleton, WI
$113,909/yr
Bethesda, MD
$139,614/yr
Our recommendation: Appleton, WI
Appleton offers higher purchasing power (10 vs 8/10), giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Appleton
Bethesda
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$113,909
$139,614
$25,705
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$6,930
$8,493
$1,563
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
86
138
-52 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,227
$3,575
$1,348
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,281
$2,056
$775
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$4,703
$4,918
$215
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
3.11×
2.38×
+0.73×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
10/10 (Comfortable)
8/10 (Comfortable)
+2
A vs B
Appleton — Full Details
Bethesda — 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.