The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Patternmakers: Winston-Salem vs Bowie

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

Winston-Salem, NC

$50,779/yr

Take-home$3,089/mo
Disposable$1,066/mo
Lifestyle6/10 · Moderate

Bowie, MD

$66,192/yr

Take-home$4,027/mo
Disposable$1,229/mo
Lifestyle5/10 · Tight

Full Breakdown

Winston-Salem

Bowie

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$50,779

$66,192

$15,413

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$3,089

$4,027

$938

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

75

108

-33 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,023

$2,798

$775

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,060

$1,610

$550

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$1,066

$1,229

$163

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

1.53×

1.44×

+0.09×

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.