The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Astronomers: Amarillo vs Columbia

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

Amarillo, TX

$115,160/yr

Take-home$7,006/mo
Disposable$5,026/mo
Lifestyle10/10 · Comfortable

Columbia, MD

$151,181/yr

Take-home$9,197/mo
Disposable$5,864/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Amarillo

Columbia

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$115,160

$151,181

$36,021

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$7,006

$9,197

$2,191

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

74

124

-50 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$1,980

$3,333

$1,353

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,020

$2,050

$1,030

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$5,026

$5,864

$838

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

3.54×

2.76×

+0.78×

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.