$50K in Augusta = $47,647 in Montgomery
Your $50K salary in Augusta (COL 85) has the same purchasing power as $47,647 in Montgomery (COL 81). Montgomery is cheaper — your money goes 5% further there.
Budget breakdown — $50K in both cities
What $50K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Augusta $50K | Montgomery $50K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $2,931 | $2,952 |
| 1BR rent | $1,200 | $1,050 |
| Groceries | $353 | $353 |
| Transport | $42 | $38 |
| Utilities | $162 | $170 |
| Internet | $58 | $58 |
| Left after essentials | $1,116/month | $1,283/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $50K in Augusta equivalent to in Montgomery?
$50K in Augusta (COL index 85) has the same purchasing power as $47,647 in Montgomery (COL index 81). That's 5% less than your current salary.
If I move from Augusta to Montgomery keeping my $50K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $50K after moving to Montgomery, you'd have $167 more per month after core expenses — because Montgomery 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: $50K × (81 ÷ 85) = $47,647. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Augusta to Montgomery
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only