$80K in Birmingham = $44,286 in Bucharest
Your $80K salary in Birmingham (COL 84) has the same purchasing power as $44,286 in Bucharest (COL 47). Bucharest is cheaper — your money goes 45% further there.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Birmingham $80K | Bucharest $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,723 | $4,390 |
| 1BR rent | $1,200 | $600 |
| Groceries | $357 | $380 |
| Transport | $40 | $150 |
| Utilities | $175 | $85 |
| Internet | $58 | $15 |
| Left after essentials | $2,893/month | $3,160/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Birmingham equivalent to in Bucharest?
$80K in Birmingham (COL index 84) has the same purchasing power as $44,286 in Bucharest (COL index 47). That's 45% less than your current salary.
If I move from Birmingham to Bucharest keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Bucharest, you'd have $267 more per month after core expenses — because Bucharest is cheaper than Birmingham.
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 × (47 ÷ 84) = $44,286. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Birmingham to Bucharest
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only