Salary Comparison
Cutting: Frederick vs Birmingham
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Frederick, MD
$51,490/yr
Birmingham, AL
$38,106/yr
Our recommendation: Birmingham, AL
Birmingham offers $93 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Frederick
Birmingham
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$51,490
$38,106
+$13,384
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$3,132
$2,318
+$814
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
105
70
+35 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,721
$1,814
+$907
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,565
$1,043
+$522
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$411
$504
$93
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.15×
1.28×
-0.13×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
4/10 (Tight)
4/10 (Tight)
+0
A vs B
Frederick — Full Details
Birmingham — 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.