Salary Comparison
Maintenance Workers: Ames vs Seattle
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Ames, IA
$56,291/yr
Seattle, WA
$82,040/yr
Our recommendation: Seattle, WA
Seattle offers $503 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Ames
Seattle
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$56,291
$82,040
$25,749
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$3,424
$4,991
$1,567
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
89
126
-37 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,306
$3,370
$1,064
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,326
$2,050
$724
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$1,118
$1,621
$503
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.48×
1.48×
+0.00×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
5/10 (Tight)
5/10 (Tight)
+0
A vs B
Seattle — 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.