The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Crushing: Plano vs Baltimore

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

Plano, TX

$38,040/yr

Take-home$2,314/mo
Disposable$-481/mo
Lifestyle2/10 ยท Tight
Best Value

Baltimore, MD

$52,444/yr

Take-home$3,190/mo
Disposable$392/mo
Lifestyle4/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Baltimore, MD

Baltimore offers $873 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.

Full Breakdown

Plano

Baltimore

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$38,040

$52,444

$14,404

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$2,314

$3,190

$876

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

104

108

-4 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,795

$2,798

$3

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,650

$1,610

+$40

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$-481

$392

$873

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

0.83ร—

1.14ร—

-0.31ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

2/10 (Tight)

4/10 (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.