The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Architects: Silver Spring vs Topeka

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

Silver Spring, MD

$104,744/yr

Take-home$6,372/mo
Disposable$3,264/mo
Lifestyle8/10 · Comfortable

Topeka, KS

$76,383/yr

Take-home$4,647/mo
Disposable$2,814/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Silver Spring

Topeka

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$104,744

$76,383

+$28,361

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$6,372

$4,647

+$1,725

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

120

68

+52 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$3,108

$1,833

+$1,275

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,788

$920

+$868

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$3,264

$2,814

+$450

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

2.05×

2.54×

-0.49×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

8/10 (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.