$120K in Charleston = $129,897 in Boise
Your $120K salary in Charleston (COL 97) has the same purchasing power as $129,897 in Boise (COL 105). Boise is more expensive — you'd need 8% more to maintain the same lifestyle.
Budget breakdown — $120K in both cities
What $120K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Charleston $120K | Boise $120K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,535 | $6,575 |
| 1BR rent | $1,900 | $1,600 |
| Groceries | $376 | $372 |
| Transport | $55 | $45 |
| Utilities | $162 | $145 |
| Internet | $63 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $3,979/month | $4,353/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $120K in Charleston equivalent to in Boise?
$120K in Charleston (COL index 97) has the same purchasing power as $129,897 in Boise (COL index 105). That's 8% more than your current salary.
If I move from Charleston to Boise keeping my $120K salary, will I be better off?
Not necessarily. Core expenses in Boise are higher, so on the same $120K salary you'd have $374 less per month. You'd need to earn $129,897 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: $120K × (105 ÷ 97) = $129,897. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Charleston to Boise
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only