The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Civil Engineers: Baltimore vs Topeka

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

Baltimore, MD

$110,063/yr

Take-home$6,696/mo
Disposable$3,898/mo
Lifestyle8/10 · Comfortable

Topeka, KS

$80,263/yr

Take-home$4,883/mo
Disposable$3,050/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Baltimore

Topeka

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$110,063

$80,263

+$29,800

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$6,696

$4,883

+$1,813

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

108

68

+40 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,798

$1,833

+$965

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,610

$920

+$690

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$3,898

$3,050

+$848

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

2.39×

2.66×

-0.27×

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.