The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Plumbers: Frederick vs Topeka

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

Frederick, MD

$76,654/yr

Take-home$4,663/mo
Disposable$1,942/mo
Lifestyle6/10 · Moderate

Topeka, KS

$55,899/yr

Take-home$3,401/mo
Disposable$1,568/mo
Lifestyle7/10 · Moderate

Full Breakdown

Frederick

Topeka

Diff (A−B)

Annual Gross Salary

$76,654

$55,899

+$20,755

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$4,663

$3,401

+$1,262

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

105

68

+37 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,721

$1,833

+$888

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,565

$920

+$645

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$1,942

$1,568

+$374

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better

1.71×

1.86×

-0.15×

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

6/10 (Moderate)

7/10 (Moderate)

-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.