The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Patternmakers: Toledo vs Columbia

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

Best Value

Toledo, OH

$48,270/yr

Take-home$2,936/mo
Disposable$1,114/mo
Lifestyle6/10 ยท Moderate

Columbia, MD

$66,192/yr

Take-home$4,027/mo
Disposable$694/mo
Lifestyle4/10 ยท Tight
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Toledo, OH

Toledo offers $420 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Toledo

Columbia

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$48,270

$66,192

$17,922

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$2,936

$4,027

$1,091

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

68

124

-56 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$1,822

$3,333

$1,511

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$890

$2,050

$1,160

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$1,114

$694

+$420

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

1.61ร—

1.21ร—

+0.40ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

6/10 (Moderate)

4/10 (Tight)

+2

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.