The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Hydrologists: Bend vs Topeka

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

Bend, OR

$106,172/yr

Take-home$6,459/mo
Disposable$3,661/mo
Lifestyle8/10 · Comfortable

Topeka, KS

$81,858/yr

Take-home$4,980/mo
Disposable$3,147/mo
Lifestyle9/10 · Comfortable

Full Breakdown

Bend

Topeka

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$106,172

$81,858

+$24,314

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$6,459

$4,980

+$1,479

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

108

68

+40 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,798

$1,833

+$965

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,610

$920

+$690

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$3,661

$3,147

+$514

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

2.31×

2.72×

-0.41×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

8/10 (Comfortable)

9/10 (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.