$80K in Austin = $51,148 in McAllen

Your $80K salary in Austin (COL 122) has the same purchasing power as $51,148 in McAllen (COL 78). McAllen is cheaper — your money goes 36% further there.

$80K in Austin, TX
$5,057/mo take-home
Rent: $1,800/mo (36% of take-home)
Tight
$51,148/yr in McAllen, TX
$3,233/mo take-home
Rent: $950/mo (29% of take-home)
Manageable

Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities

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

Expense
Austin
$80K
McAllen
$80K (same salary)
Monthly take-home$5,057$5,057
1BR rent$1,800$950
Groceries$372$338
Transport$50$35
Utilities$170$165
Internet$65$60
Left after essentials$2,600/month$3,509/month
To match your Austin purchasing power in McAllen, you'd need to earn $51,148/year (36% less than $80K). At that salary, you'd have $1,685/mo left after essentials — vs $2,600/mo in Austin.

Frequently asked questions

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

$80K in Austin (COL index 122) has the same purchasing power as $51,148 in McAllen (COL index 78). That's 36% less than your current salary.

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

Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to McAllen, you'd have $909 more per month after core expenses — because McAllen 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 × (78 ÷ 122) = $51,148. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.

Other salary amounts — Austin to McAllen

$40K → $25,574$50K → $31,967$60K → $38,361$75K → $47,951$100K → $63,934$120K → $76,721$150K → $95,902
$80K in McAllen → AustinMoving from Austin to McAllenAustin vs McAllen — full comparisonCan I afford Austin vs McAllen on $80K?

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