$150K in Augusta = $141,176 in El Paso
Your $150K salary in Augusta (COL 85) has the same purchasing power as $141,176 in El Paso (COL 80). El Paso is cheaper — your money goes 6% further there.
Budget breakdown — $150K in both cities
What $150K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Augusta $150K | El Paso $150K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $8,256 | $8,944 |
| 1BR rent | $1,200 | $1,050 |
| Groceries | $353 | $346 |
| Transport | $42 | $40 |
| Utilities | $162 | $175 |
| Internet | $58 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $6,441/month | $7,273/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $150K in Augusta equivalent to in El Paso?
$150K in Augusta (COL index 85) has the same purchasing power as $141,176 in El Paso (COL index 80). That's 6% less than your current salary.
If I move from Augusta to El Paso keeping my $150K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $150K after moving to El Paso, you'd have $832 more per month after core expenses — because El Paso is cheaper than Augusta.
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: $150K × (80 ÷ 85) = $141,176. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Augusta to El Paso
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only