The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Patternmakers: Lafayette vs Silver Spring

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

Best Value

Lafayette, LA

$50,779/yr

Take-home$3,089/mo
Disposable$1,144/mo
Lifestyle6/10 ยท Moderate

Silver Spring, MD

$66,192/yr

Take-home$4,027/mo
Disposable$919/mo
Lifestyle5/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Lafayette, LA

Lafayette offers $225 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Lafayette

Silver Spring

Diff (Aโˆ’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

120

-45 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$1,945

$3,108

$1,163

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,118

$1,788

$670

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$1,144

$919

+$225

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.59ร—

1.30ร—

+0.29ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

6/10 (Moderate)

5/10 (Tight)

+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.