The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Hydrologic Technicians: Gaithersburg vs Fort Wayne

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

Gaithersburg, MD

$63,327/yr

Take-home$3,852/mo
Disposable$796/mo
Lifestyle4/10 ยท Tight
Best Value

Fort Wayne, IN

$48,238/yr

Take-home$2,935/mo
Disposable$937/mo
Lifestyle5/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Fort Wayne, IN

Fort Wayne offers $141 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Gaithersburg

Fort Wayne

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$63,327

$48,238

+$15,089

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$3,852

$2,935

+$917

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

118

74

+44 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$3,056

$1,998

+$1,058

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,758

$1,050

+$708

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$796

$937

$141

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.26ร—

1.47ร—

-0.21ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

4/10 (Tight)

5/10 (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.