The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Hydrologists: Abilene vs Washington

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

Abilene, TX

$84,289/yr

Take-home$5,128/mo
Disposable$3,201/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Washington, DC

$120,760/yr

Take-home$7,346/mo
Disposable$3,791/mo
Lifestyle8/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Abilene

Washington

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$84,289

$120,760

$36,471

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$5,128

$7,346

$2,218

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

72

132

-60 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$1,927

$3,555

$1,628

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$980

$2,180

$1,200

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$3,201

$3,791

$590

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

2.66×

2.07×

+0.59×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

9/10 (Comfortable)

8/10 (Comfortable)

+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.