$100K in Austin = $76,230 in Wilmington
Your $100K salary in Austin (COL 122) has the same purchasing power as $76,230 in Wilmington (COL 93). Wilmington is cheaper — your money goes 24% further there.
Budget breakdown — $100K in both cities
What $100K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Austin $100K | Wilmington $100K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,321 | $5,946 |
| 1BR rent | $1,800 | $1,550 |
| Groceries | $372 | $372 |
| Transport | $50 | $45 |
| Utilities | $170 | $158 |
| Internet | $65 | $62 |
| Left after essentials | $3,864/month | $3,759/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $100K in Austin equivalent to in Wilmington?
$100K in Austin (COL index 122) has the same purchasing power as $76,230 in Wilmington (COL index 93). That's 24% less than your current salary.
If I move from Austin to Wilmington keeping my $100K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $100K after moving to Wilmington, you'd have $-105 more per month after core expenses — because Wilmington 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: $100K × (93 ÷ 122) = $76,230. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Austin to Wilmington
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only