$80K in Austin = $53,770 in Las Cruces
Your $80K salary in Austin (COL 122) has the same purchasing power as $53,770 in Las Cruces (COL 82). Las Cruces is cheaper — your money goes 33% further there.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Austin $80K | Las Cruces $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $5,057 | $4,730 |
| 1BR rent | $1,800 | $1,000 |
| Groceries | $372 | $350 |
| Transport | $50 | $38 |
| Utilities | $170 | $152 |
| Internet | $65 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $2,600/month | $3,130/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Austin equivalent to in Las Cruces?
$80K in Austin (COL index 122) has the same purchasing power as $53,770 in Las Cruces (COL index 82). That's 33% less than your current salary.
If I move from Austin to Las Cruces keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Las Cruces, you'd have $530 more per month after core expenses — because Las Cruces 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 × (82 ÷ 122) = $53,770. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Austin to Las Cruces
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only