The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Patternmakers: Pontiac vs Frederick

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

Pontiac, MI

$54,363/yr

Take-home$3,307/mo
Disposable$1,287/mo
Lifestyle6/10 · Moderate

Frederick, MD

$66,192/yr

Take-home$4,027/mo
Disposable$1,306/mo
Lifestyle5/10 · Tight

Full Breakdown

Pontiac

Frederick

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$54,363

$66,192

$11,829

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$3,307

$4,027

$720

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

78

105

-27 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,020

$2,721

$701

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,162

$1,565

$403

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$1,287

$1,306

$19

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

1.64×

1.48×

+0.16×

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.