$40K in Boise = $35,429 in Midland

Your $40K salary in Boise (COL 105) has the same purchasing power as $35,429 in Midland (COL 93). Midland is cheaper — your money goes 11% further there.

$40K in Boise, ID
$2,535/mo take-home
Rent: $1,600/mo (63% of take-home)
Difficult
$35,429/yr in Midland, TX
$2,417/mo take-home
Rent: $1,200/mo (50% of take-home)
Difficult

Budget breakdown — $40K in both cities

What $40K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.

Expense
Boise
$40K
Midland
$40K (same salary)
Monthly take-home$2,535$2,728
1BR rent$1,600$1,200
Groceries$372$365
Transport$45$35
Utilities$145$178
Internet$60$65
Left after essentials$313/month$885/month
To match your Boise purchasing power in Midland, you'd need to earn $35,429/year (11% less than $40K). At that salary, you'd have $574/mo left after essentials — vs $313/mo in Boise.

Frequently asked questions

What is $40K in Boise equivalent to in Midland?

$40K in Boise (COL index 105) has the same purchasing power as $35,429 in Midland (COL index 93). That's 11% less than your current salary.

If I move from Boise to Midland keeping my $40K salary, will I be better off?

Yes. If you keep earning $40K after moving to Midland, you'd have $572 more per month after core expenses — because Midland 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: $40K × (93 ÷ 105) = $35,429. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.

Other salary amounts — Boise to Midland

$50K → $44,286$60K → $53,143$75K → $66,429$80K → $70,857$100K → $88,571$120K → $106,286$150K → $132,857
$40K in Midland → BoiseMoving from Boise to MidlandBoise vs Midland — full comparisonCan I afford Boise vs Midland on $40K?

Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only