Salary Comparison
Weighers: Fort Smith vs Gaithersburg
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Fort Smith, AR
$40,503/yr
Gaithersburg, MD
$51,703/yr
Our recommendation: Fort Smith, AR
Fort Smith offers $355 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Fort Smith
Gaithersburg
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$40,503
$51,703
$11,200
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$2,464
$3,145
$681
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
78
118
-40 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,020
$3,056
$1,036
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,162
$1,758
$596
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$444
$89
+$355
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.22×
1.03×
+0.19×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
4/10 (Tight)
3/10 (Tight)
+1
A vs B
Fort Smith — Full Details
Gaithersburg — Full Details
Salary estimates based on BLS metro data. Cost of living from regional price indices. All figures are estimates; verify with employers before making decisions.