The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Continuous Mining Machine Operators: Decatur vs Bethesda

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

Best Value

Decatur, IL

$33,834/yr

Take-home$2,058/mo
Disposable$-66/mo
Lifestyle3/10 ยท Tight

Bethesda, MD

$42,026/yr

Take-home$2,557/mo
Disposable$-1,018/mo
Lifestyle2/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Decatur, IL

Decatur offers $952 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Decatur

Bethesda

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$33,834

$42,026

$8,192

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$2,058

$2,557

$499

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

82

138

-56 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,124

$3,575

$1,451

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,222

$2,056

$834

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$-66

$-1,018

+$952

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

0.97ร—

0.72ร—

+0.25ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

3/10 (Tight)

2/10 (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.