$150K in Boston = $137,037 in Long Beach
Your $150K salary in Boston (COL 162) has the same purchasing power as $137,037 in Long Beach (COL 148). Long Beach is cheaper — your money goes 9% further there.
Budget breakdown — $150K in both cities
What $150K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Boston $150K | Long Beach $150K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $8,319 | $7,781 |
| 1BR rent | $3,000 | $2,400 |
| Groceries | $418 | $410 |
| Transport | $90 | $100 |
| Utilities | $185 | $148 |
| Internet | $70 | $68 |
| Left after essentials | $4,556/month | $4,655/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $150K in Boston equivalent to in Long Beach?
$150K in Boston (COL index 162) has the same purchasing power as $137,037 in Long Beach (COL index 148). That's 9% less than your current salary.
If I move from Boston to Long Beach keeping my $150K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $150K after moving to Long Beach, you'd have $99 more per month after core expenses — because Long Beach 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: $150K × (148 ÷ 162) = $137,037. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Boston to Long Beach
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only