Salary Comparison
Patternmakers: Lorain vs Columbia
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Lorain, OH
$51,496/yr
Columbia, MD
$66,192/yr
Our recommendation: Lorain, OH
Lorain offers $521 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Lorain
Columbia
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$51,496
$66,192
$14,696
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$3,133
$4,027
$894
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
74
124
-50 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$1,918
$3,333
$1,415
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,103
$2,050
$947
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$1,215
$694
+$521
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.63×
1.21×
+0.42×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
6/10 (Moderate)
4/10 (Tight)
+2
A vs B
Lorain — Full Details
Columbia — 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.