$100K in Buffalo = $103,333 in Wilmington
Your $100K salary in Buffalo (COL 90) has the same purchasing power as $103,333 in Wilmington (COL 93). Wilmington is more expensive — you'd need 3% more to maintain the same lifestyle.
Budget breakdown — $100K in both cities
What $100K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Buffalo $100K | Wilmington $100K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $5,746 | $5,946 |
| 1BR rent | $1,250 | $1,550 |
| Groceries | $384 | $372 |
| Transport | $72 | $45 |
| Utilities | $185 | $158 |
| Internet | $65 | $62 |
| Left after essentials | $3,790/month | $3,759/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $100K in Buffalo equivalent to in Wilmington?
$100K in Buffalo (COL index 90) has the same purchasing power as $103,333 in Wilmington (COL index 93). That's 3% more than your current salary.
If I move from Buffalo to Wilmington keeping my $100K salary, will I be better off?
Not necessarily. Core expenses in Wilmington are higher, so on the same $100K salary you'd have $31 less per month. You'd need to earn $103,333 to maintain the same standard of living.
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: $100K × (93 ÷ 90) = $103,333. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Buffalo to Wilmington
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only