$40K in Austin = $31,148 in Colorado Springs
Your $40K salary in Austin (COL 122) has the same purchasing power as $31,148 in Colorado Springs (COL 95). Colorado Springs is cheaper — your money goes 22% further there.
Budget breakdown — $40K in both cities
What $40K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Austin $40K | Colorado Springs $40K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $2,728 | $2,582 |
| 1BR rent | $1,800 | $1,500 |
| Groceries | $372 | $372 |
| Transport | $50 | $55 |
| Utilities | $170 | $145 |
| Internet | $65 | $65 |
| Left after essentials | $271/month | $445/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $40K in Austin equivalent to in Colorado Springs?
$40K in Austin (COL index 122) has the same purchasing power as $31,148 in Colorado Springs (COL index 95). That's 22% less than your current salary.
If I move from Austin to Colorado Springs keeping my $40K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $40K after moving to Colorado Springs, you'd have $174 more per month after core expenses — because Colorado Springs 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: $40K × (95 ÷ 122) = $31,148. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Austin to Colorado Springs
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only