The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Continuous Mining Machine Operators: Bethlehem vs Frederick

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

Bethlehem, PA

$34,744/yr

Take-home$2,114/mo
Disposable$-296/mo
Lifestyle2/10 ยท Tight
Best Value

Frederick, MD

$42,026/yr

Take-home$2,557/mo
Disposable$-164/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Frederick, MD

Frederick offers $132 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.

Full Breakdown

Bethlehem

Frederick

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$34,744

$42,026

$7,282

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$2,114

$2,557

$443

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

93

105

-12 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,410

$2,721

$311

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,386

$1,565

$179

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$-296

$-164

$132

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

0.88ร—

0.94ร—

-0.06ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

2/10 (Tight)

3/10 (Tight)

-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.