The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Floor Layers: Amarillo vs Columbia

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

Best Value

Amarillo, TX

$46,699/yr

Take-home$2,841/mo
Disposable$861/mo
Lifestyle5/10 ยท Tight

Columbia, MD

$61,307/yr

Take-home$3,730/mo
Disposable$397/mo
Lifestyle4/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Amarillo, TX

Amarillo offers $464 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Amarillo

Columbia

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$46,699

$61,307

$14,608

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$2,841

$3,730

$889

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

74

124

-50 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$1,980

$3,333

$1,353

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,020

$2,050

$1,030

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$861

$397

+$464

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.43ร—

1.12ร—

+0.31ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

5/10 (Tight)

4/10 (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.