Salary Comparison
Patternmakers: Lakewood vs Topeka
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Lakewood, CO
$61,532/yr
Topeka, KS
$48,270/yr
Our recommendation: Topeka, KS
Topeka offers $285 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Lakewood
Topeka
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$61,532
$48,270
+$13,262
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$3,743
$2,936
+$807
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
109
68
+41 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,925
$1,833
+$1,092
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,750
$920
+$830
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$818
$1,103
$285
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.28×
1.60×
-0.32×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
4/10 (Tight)
6/10 (Moderate)
-2
A vs B
Lakewood — Full Details
Topeka — 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.