$80K in Austin = $55,738 in Augusta

Your $80K salary in Austin (COL 122) has the same purchasing power as $55,738 in Augusta (COL 85). Augusta is cheaper — your money goes 30% further there.

$80K in Austin, TX
$5,057/mo take-home
Rent: $1,800/mo (36% of take-home)
Tight
$55,738/yr in Augusta, GA
$3,268/mo take-home
Rent: $1,200/mo (37% of take-home)
Tight

Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities

What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.

Expense
Austin
$80K
Augusta
$80K (same salary)
Monthly take-home$5,057$4,690
1BR rent$1,800$1,200
Groceries$372$353
Transport$50$42
Utilities$170$162
Internet$65$58
Left after essentials$2,600/month$2,875/month
To match your Austin purchasing power in Augusta, you'd need to earn $55,738/year (30% less than $80K). At that salary, you'd have $1,453/mo left after essentials — vs $2,600/mo in Austin.

Frequently asked questions

What is $80K in Austin equivalent to in Augusta?

$80K in Austin (COL index 122) has the same purchasing power as $55,738 in Augusta (COL index 85). That's 30% less than your current salary.

If I move from Austin to Augusta keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?

Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Augusta, you'd have $275 more per month after core expenses — because Augusta is cheaper than Austin.

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 × (85 ÷ 122) = $55,738. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.

Other salary amounts — Austin to Augusta

$40K → $27,869$50K → $34,836$60K → $41,803$75K → $52,254$100K → $69,672$120K → $83,607$150K → $104,508
$80K in Augusta → AustinMoving from Austin to AugustaAustin vs Augusta — full comparisonCan I afford Austin vs Augusta on $80K?

Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only