The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Computer Systems Analysts: Columbia vs Abilene

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

Columbia, MD

$118,534/yr

Take-home$7,211/mo
Disposable$3,878/mo
Lifestyle8/10 · Comfortable

Abilene, TX

$89,007/yr

Take-home$5,415/mo
Disposable$3,488/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Columbia

Abilene

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$118,534

$89,007

+$29,527

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$7,211

$5,415

+$1,796

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

124

72

+52 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$3,333

$1,927

+$1,406

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$2,050

$980

+$1,070

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$3,878

$3,488

+$390

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

2.16×

2.81×

-0.65×

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.