Salary Comparison
Patternmakers: Charleston vs Bethesda
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Charleston, SC
$55,797/yr
Bethesda, MD
$66,192/yr
Our recommendation: Charleston, SC
Charleston offers $844 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Charleston
Bethesda
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$55,797
$66,192
$10,395
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$3,394
$4,027
$633
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
81
138
-57 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,098
$3,575
$1,477
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,207
$2,056
$849
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$1,296
$452
+$844
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.62×
1.13×
+0.49×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
6/10 (Moderate)
4/10 (Tight)
+2
A vs B
Charleston — 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.