The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Coating: Silver Spring vs Topeka

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

Silver Spring, MD

$54,676/yr

Take-home$3,326/mo
Disposable$218/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight
Best Value

Topeka, KS

$39,872/yr

Take-home$2,426/mo
Disposable$593/mo
Lifestyle5/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Topeka, KS

Topeka offers $375 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Silver Spring

Topeka

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$54,676

$39,872

+$14,804

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$3,326

$2,426

+$900

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

$218

$593

$375

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.07ร—

1.32ร—

-0.25ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

3/10 (Tight)

5/10 (Tight)

-2

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.