$120K in Boston = $67,407 in Columbus
Your $120K salary in Boston (COL 162) has the same purchasing power as $67,407 in Columbus (COL 91). Columbus is cheaper — your money goes 44% further there.
Budget breakdown — $120K in both cities
What $120K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Boston $120K | Columbus $120K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,655 | $6,855 |
| 1BR rent | $3,000 | $1,250 |
| Groceries | $418 | $361 |
| Transport | $90 | $62 |
| Utilities | $185 | $155 |
| Internet | $70 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $2,892/month | $4,967/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $120K in Boston equivalent to in Columbus?
$120K in Boston (COL index 162) has the same purchasing power as $67,407 in Columbus (COL index 91). That's 44% less than your current salary.
If I move from Boston to Columbus keeping my $120K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $120K after moving to Columbus, you'd have $2,075 more per month after core expenses — because Columbus is cheaper than Boston.
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: $120K × (91 ÷ 162) = $67,407. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Boston to Columbus
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only