$100K in Austin = $72,131 in Columbia
Your $100K salary in Austin (COL 122) has the same purchasing power as $72,131 in Columbia (COL 88). Columbia is cheaper — your money goes 28% further there.
Budget breakdown — $100K in both cities
What $100K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Austin $100K | Columbia $100K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,321 | $5,929 |
| 1BR rent | $1,800 | $1,250 |
| Groceries | $372 | $365 |
| Transport | $50 | $45 |
| Utilities | $170 | $158 |
| Internet | $65 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $3,864/month | $4,051/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $100K in Austin equivalent to in Columbia?
$100K in Austin (COL index 122) has the same purchasing power as $72,131 in Columbia (COL index 88). That's 28% less than your current salary.
If I move from Austin to Columbia keeping my $100K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $100K after moving to Columbia, you'd have $187 more per month after core expenses — because Columbia 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: $100K × (88 ÷ 122) = $72,131. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Austin to Columbia
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only