Salary Comparison
Crushing: Des Moines vs Silver Spring
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Des Moines, IA
$41,368/yr
Silver Spring, MD
$52,444/yr
Our recommendation: Des Moines, IA
Des Moines offers $302 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Des Moines
Silver Spring
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$41,368
$52,444
$11,076
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$2,517
$3,190
$673
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
79
120
-41 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,133
$3,108
$975
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,150
$1,788
$638
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$384
$82
+$302
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.18×
1.03×
+0.15×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
4/10 (Tight)
3/10 (Tight)
+1
A vs B
Des Moines — Full Details
Silver Spring — Full Details
Salary estimates based on BLS metro data. Cost of living from regional price indices. All figures are estimates; verify with employers before making decisions.