The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Patternmakers: Sioux City vs Gaithersburg

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

Best Value

Sioux City, IA

$52,571/yr

Take-home$3,198/mo
Disposable$1,126/mo
Lifestyle6/10 ยท Moderate

Gaithersburg, MD

$66,192/yr

Take-home$4,027/mo
Disposable$971/mo
Lifestyle5/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Sioux City, IA

Sioux City offers $155 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Sioux City

Gaithersburg

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$52,571

$66,192

$13,621

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$3,198

$4,027

$829

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

80

118

-38 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,072

$3,056

$984

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,192

$1,758

$566

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$1,126

$971

+$155

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.54ร—

1.32ร—

+0.22ร—

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.