$40K in Boston = $21,481 in Roanoke
Your $40K salary in Boston (COL 162) has the same purchasing power as $21,481 in Roanoke (COL 87). Roanoke is cheaper — your money goes 46% further there.
Budget breakdown — $40K in both cities
What $40K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Boston $40K | Roanoke $40K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $2,562 | $2,535 |
| 1BR rent | $3,000 | $1,200 |
| Groceries | $418 | $361 |
| Transport | $90 | $48 |
| Utilities | $185 | $155 |
| Internet | $70 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | -$1,201/month | $711/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $40K in Boston equivalent to in Roanoke?
$40K in Boston (COL index 162) has the same purchasing power as $21,481 in Roanoke (COL index 87). That's 46% less than your current salary.
If I move from Boston to Roanoke keeping my $40K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $40K after moving to Roanoke, you'd have $1,912 more per month after core expenses — because Roanoke 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: $40K × (87 ÷ 162) = $21,481. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Boston to Roanoke
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only