$120K in Boston = $73,333 in Provo

Your $120K salary in Boston (COL 162) has the same purchasing power as $73,333 in Provo (COL 99). Provo is cheaper — your money goes 39% further there.

$120K in Boston, MA
$6,655/mo take-home
Rent: $3,000/mo (45% of take-home)
Difficult
$73,333/yr in Provo, UT
$4,348/mo take-home
Rent: $1,400/mo (32% of take-home)
Manageable

Budget breakdown — $120K in both cities

What $120K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.

Expense
Boston
$120K
Provo
$120K (same salary)
Monthly take-home$6,655$6,685
1BR rent$3,000$1,400
Groceries$418$372
Transport$90$62
Utilities$185$148
Internet$70$63
Left after essentials$2,892/month$4,640/month
To match your Boston purchasing power in Provo, you'd need to earn $73,333/year (39% less than $120K). At that salary, you'd have $2,303/mo left after essentials — vs $2,892/mo in Boston.

Frequently asked questions

What is $120K in Boston equivalent to in Provo?

$120K in Boston (COL index 162) has the same purchasing power as $73,333 in Provo (COL index 99). That's 39% less than your current salary.

If I move from Boston to Provo keeping my $120K salary, will I be better off?

Yes. If you keep earning $120K after moving to Provo, you'd have $1,748 more per month after core expenses — because Provo 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 × (99 ÷ 162) = $73,333. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.

Other salary amounts — Boston to Provo

$40K → $24,444$50K → $30,556$60K → $36,667$75K → $45,833$80K → $48,889$100K → $61,111$150K → $91,667
$120K in Provo → BostonMoving from Boston to ProvoBoston vs Provo — full comparisonCan I afford Boston vs Provo on $120K?

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