Salary Comparison
Hydrologic Technicians: Appleton vs Silver Spring
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Appleton, WI
$51,667/yr
Silver Spring, MD
$63,327/yr
Our recommendation: Appleton, WI
Appleton offers $172 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Appleton
Silver Spring
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$51,667
$63,327
$11,660
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$3,143
$3,852
$709
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
86
120
-34 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,227
$3,108
$881
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,281
$1,788
$507
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$916
$744
+$172
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.41×
1.24×
+0.17×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
5/10 (Tight)
4/10 (Tight)
+1
A vs B
Appleton — 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.