$80K in Austin = $52,459 in Topeka
Your $80K salary in Austin (COL 122) has the same purchasing power as $52,459 in Topeka (COL 80). Topeka is cheaper — your money goes 34% further there.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Austin $80K | Topeka $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $5,057 | $4,677 |
| 1BR rent | $1,800 | $940 |
| Groceries | $372 | $350 |
| Transport | $50 | $40 |
| Utilities | $170 | $150 |
| Internet | $65 | $55 |
| Left after essentials | $2,600/month | $3,142/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Austin equivalent to in Topeka?
$80K in Austin (COL index 122) has the same purchasing power as $52,459 in Topeka (COL index 80). That's 34% less than your current salary.
If I move from Austin to Topeka keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Topeka, you'd have $542 more per month after core expenses — because Topeka 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 × (80 ÷ 122) = $52,459. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Austin to Topeka
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only