$150K in Boise = $138,571 in Charleston
Your $150K salary in Boise (COL 105) has the same purchasing power as $138,571 in Charleston (COL 97). Charleston is cheaper — your money goes 8% further there.
Budget breakdown — $150K in both cities
What $150K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Boise $150K | Charleston $150K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $8,219 | $8,169 |
| 1BR rent | $1,600 | $1,900 |
| Groceries | $372 | $376 |
| Transport | $45 | $55 |
| Utilities | $145 | $162 |
| Internet | $60 | $63 |
| Left after essentials | $5,997/month | $5,613/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $150K in Boise equivalent to in Charleston?
$150K in Boise (COL index 105) has the same purchasing power as $138,571 in Charleston (COL index 97). That's 8% less than your current salary.
If I move from Boise to Charleston keeping my $150K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $150K after moving to Charleston, you'd have $-384 more per month after core expenses — because Charleston is cheaper than Boise.
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 ÷ 105) = $138,571. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Boise to Charleston
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only