$120K in Augusta = $115,765 in Rockford
Your $120K salary in Augusta (COL 85) has the same purchasing power as $115,765 in Rockford (COL 82). Rockford is cheaper — your money goes 4% further there.
Budget breakdown — $120K in both cities
What $120K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Augusta $120K | Rockford $120K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,605 | $6,655 |
| 1BR rent | $1,200 | $1,050 |
| Groceries | $353 | $357 |
| Transport | $42 | $50 |
| Utilities | $162 | $158 |
| Internet | $58 | $58 |
| Left after essentials | $4,790/month | $4,982/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $120K in Augusta equivalent to in Rockford?
$120K in Augusta (COL index 85) has the same purchasing power as $115,765 in Rockford (COL index 82). That's 4% less than your current salary.
If I move from Augusta to Rockford keeping my $120K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $120K after moving to Rockford, you'd have $192 more per month after core expenses — because Rockford 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: $120K × (82 ÷ 85) = $115,765. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Augusta to Rockford
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only