$120K in Austin = $95,410 in Madison
Your $120K salary in Austin (COL 122) has the same purchasing power as $95,410 in Madison (COL 97). Madison is cheaper — your money goes 20% further there.
Budget breakdown — $120K in both cities
What $120K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Austin $120K | Madison $120K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $7,155 | $6,385 |
| 1BR rent | $1,800 | $1,650 |
| Groceries | $372 | $384 |
| Transport | $50 | $62 |
| Utilities | $170 | $162 |
| Internet | $65 | $63 |
| Left after essentials | $4,698/month | $4,064/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $120K in Austin equivalent to in Madison?
$120K in Austin (COL index 122) has the same purchasing power as $95,410 in Madison (COL index 97). That's 20% less than your current salary.
If I move from Austin to Madison keeping my $120K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $120K after moving to Madison, you'd have $-634 more per month after core expenses — because Madison 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: $120K × (97 ÷ 122) = $95,410. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Austin to Madison
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only