Salary Comparison
Hydrologic Technicians: Silver Spring vs Birmingham
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Silver Spring, MD
$63,327/yr
Birmingham, AL
$46,866/yr
Our recommendation: Birmingham, AL
Birmingham offers $293 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Silver Spring
Birmingham
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$63,327
$46,866
+$16,461
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$3,852
$2,851
+$1,001
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
120
70
+50 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$3,108
$1,814
+$1,294
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,788
$1,043
+$745
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$744
$1,037
$293
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.24×
1.57×
-0.33×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
4/10 (Tight)
6/10 (Moderate)
-2
A vs B
Silver Spring — 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.