$50K in Billings = $46,629 in Scranton
Your $50K salary in Billings (COL 89) has the same purchasing power as $46,629 in Scranton (COL 83). Scranton is cheaper — your money goes 7% further there.
Budget breakdown — $50K in both cities
What $50K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Billings $50K | Scranton $50K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $2,877 | $3,031 |
| 1BR rent | $1,200 | $1,050 |
| Groceries | $369 | $361 |
| Transport | $42 | $58 |
| Utilities | $148 | $165 |
| Internet | $68 | $62 |
| Left after essentials | $1,050/month | $1,335/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $50K in Billings equivalent to in Scranton?
$50K in Billings (COL index 89) has the same purchasing power as $46,629 in Scranton (COL index 83). That's 7% less than your current salary.
If I move from Billings to Scranton keeping my $50K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $50K after moving to Scranton, you'd have $285 more per month after core expenses — because Scranton is cheaper than Billings.
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: $50K × (83 ÷ 89) = $46,629. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Billings to Scranton
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only