Salary Comparison
Extraction Workers: Lawrence vs Columbia
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Lawrence, KS
$42,445/yr
Columbia, MD
$50,678/yr
Our recommendation: Lawrence, KS
Lawrence offers $578 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Lawrence
Columbia
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$42,445
$50,678
$8,233
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$2,582
$3,083
$501
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
87
124
-37 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,254
$3,333
$1,079
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,296
$2,050
$754
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$328
$-250
+$578
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.15×
0.92×
+0.23×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
4/10 (Tight)
3/10 (Tight)
+1
A vs B
Lawrence — Full Details
Columbia — 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.