$80K in Boise = $73,905 in Madison
Your $80K salary in Boise (COL 105) has the same purchasing power as $73,905 in Madison (COL 97). Madison is cheaper — your money goes 8% further there.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Boise $80K | Madison $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,670 | $4,543 |
| 1BR rent | $1,600 | $1,650 |
| Groceries | $372 | $384 |
| Transport | $45 | $62 |
| Utilities | $145 | $162 |
| Internet | $60 | $63 |
| Left after essentials | $2,448/month | $2,222/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Boise equivalent to in Madison?
$80K in Boise (COL index 105) has the same purchasing power as $73,905 in Madison (COL index 97). That's 8% less than your current salary.
If I move from Boise to Madison keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Madison, you'd have $-226 more per month after core expenses — because Madison 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: $80K × (97 ÷ 105) = $73,905. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Boise to Madison
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only