The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Actuaries: Cedar Rapids vs Gaithersburg

Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.

Cedar Rapids, IA

$107,104/yr

Take-home$6,516/mo
Disposable$4,503/mo
Lifestyle10/10 · Comfortable

Gaithersburg, MD

$139,614/yr

Take-home$8,493/mo
Disposable$5,437/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Cedar Rapids

Gaithersburg

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$107,104

$139,614

$32,510

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$6,516

$8,493

$1,977

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

75

118

-43 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,013

$3,056

$1,043

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,050

$1,758

$708

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,503

$5,437

$934

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

3.24×

2.78×

+0.46×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

10/10 (Comfortable)

9/10 (Comfortable)

+1

A vs B

Salary estimates based on BLS metro data. Cost of living from regional price indices. All figures are estimates; verify with employers before making decisions.