$80K in Anchorage = $66,400 in Scranton
Your $80K salary in Anchorage (COL 100) has the same purchasing power as $66,400 in Scranton (COL 83). Scranton is cheaper — your money goes 17% further there.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Anchorage $80K | Scranton $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $5,057 | $4,850 |
| 1BR rent | $1,800 | $1,050 |
| Groceries | $391 | $361 |
| Transport | $45 | $58 |
| Utilities | $165 | $165 |
| Internet | $90 | $62 |
| Left after essentials | $2,566/month | $3,154/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Anchorage equivalent to in Scranton?
$80K in Anchorage (COL index 100) has the same purchasing power as $66,400 in Scranton (COL index 83). That's 17% less than your current salary.
If I move from Anchorage to Scranton keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Scranton, you'd have $588 more per month after core expenses — because Scranton is cheaper than Anchorage.
How is the salary equivalent calculated?
The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $80K × (83 ÷ 100) = $66,400. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Anchorage to Scranton
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only