$40K in Austin = $29,508 in Norfolk

Your $40K salary in Austin (COL 122) has the same purchasing power as $29,508 in Norfolk (COL 90). Norfolk is cheaper — your money goes 26% further there.

$40K in Austin, TX
$2,728/mo take-home
Rent: $1,800/mo (66% of take-home)
Difficult
$29,508/yr in Norfolk, VA
$1,870/mo take-home
Rent: $1,400/mo (75% of take-home)
Difficult

Budget breakdown — $40K in both cities

What $40K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.

Expense
Austin
$40K
Norfolk
$40K (same salary)
Monthly take-home$2,728$2,535
1BR rent$1,800$1,400
Groceries$372$365
Transport$50$55
Utilities$170$170
Internet$65$60
Left after essentials$271/month$485/month
To match your Austin purchasing power in Norfolk, you'd need to earn $29,508/year (26% less than $40K). At that salary, you'd have $-180/mo left after essentials — vs $271/mo in Austin.

Frequently asked questions

What is $40K in Austin equivalent to in Norfolk?

$40K in Austin (COL index 122) has the same purchasing power as $29,508 in Norfolk (COL index 90). That's 26% less than your current salary.

If I move from Austin to Norfolk keeping my $40K salary, will I be better off?

Yes. If you keep earning $40K after moving to Norfolk, you'd have $214 more per month after core expenses — because Norfolk 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 × (90 ÷ 122) = $29,508. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.

Other salary amounts — Austin to Norfolk

$50K → $36,885$60K → $44,262$75K → $55,328$80K → $59,016$100K → $73,770$120K → $88,525$150K → $110,656
$40K in Norfolk → AustinMoving from Austin to NorfolkAustin vs Norfolk — full comparisonCan I afford Austin vs Norfolk on $40K?

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