Salary Comparison
Patternmakers: Cedar Rapids vs Bethesda
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Cedar Rapids, IA
$50,779/yr
Bethesda, MD
$66,192/yr
Our recommendation: Cedar Rapids, IA
Cedar Rapids offers $624 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Cedar Rapids
Bethesda
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$50,779
$66,192
$15,413
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$3,089
$4,027
$938
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
75
138
-63 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,013
$3,575
$1,562
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,050
$2,056
$1,006
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$1,076
$452
+$624
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.53×
1.13×
+0.40×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
6/10 (Moderate)
4/10 (Tight)
+2
A vs B
Cedar Rapids — Full Details
Bethesda — 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.