$80K in Augusta = $78,118 in Memphis
Your $80K salary in Augusta (COL 85) has the same purchasing power as $78,118 in Memphis (COL 83). Memphis is cheaper — your money goes 2% further there.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Augusta $80K | Memphis $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,690 | $5,057 |
| 1BR rent | $1,200 | $1,100 |
| Groceries | $353 | $357 |
| Transport | $42 | $55 |
| Utilities | $162 | $170 |
| Internet | $58 | $55 |
| Left after essentials | $2,875/month | $3,320/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Augusta equivalent to in Memphis?
$80K in Augusta (COL index 85) has the same purchasing power as $78,118 in Memphis (COL index 83). That's 2% less than your current salary.
If I move from Augusta to Memphis keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Memphis, you'd have $445 more per month after core expenses — because Memphis 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: $80K × (83 ÷ 85) = $78,118. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Augusta to Memphis
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only