$150K in Austin = $119,262 in St. Paul
Your $150K salary in Austin (COL 122) has the same purchasing power as $119,262 in St. Paul (COL 97). St. Paul is cheaper — your money goes 20% further there.
Budget breakdown — $150K in both cities
What $150K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Austin $150K | St. Paul $150K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $8,944 | $7,706 |
| 1BR rent | $1,800 | $1,500 |
| Groceries | $372 | $384 |
| Transport | $50 | $95 |
| Utilities | $170 | $195 |
| Internet | $65 | $63 |
| Left after essentials | $6,487/month | $5,469/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $150K in Austin equivalent to in St. Paul?
$150K in Austin (COL index 122) has the same purchasing power as $119,262 in St. Paul (COL index 97). That's 20% less than your current salary.
If I move from Austin to St. Paul keeping my $150K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $150K after moving to St. Paul, you'd have $-1,018 more per month after core expenses — because St. Paul 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: $150K × (97 ÷ 122) = $119,262. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Austin to St. Paul
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only