$120K in Charleston = $132,371 in Eugene
Your $120K salary in Charleston (COL 97) has the same purchasing power as $132,371 in Eugene (COL 107). Eugene is more expensive — you'd need 10% 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 | Eugene $120K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,535 | $6,165 |
| 1BR rent | $1,900 | $1,650 |
| Groceries | $376 | $395 |
| Transport | $55 | $82 |
| Utilities | $162 | $128 |
| Internet | $63 | $65 |
| Left after essentials | $3,979/month | $3,845/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $120K in Charleston equivalent to in Eugene?
$120K in Charleston (COL index 97) has the same purchasing power as $132,371 in Eugene (COL index 107). That's 10% more than your current salary.
If I move from Charleston to Eugene keeping my $120K salary, will I be better off?
Not necessarily. Core expenses in Eugene are higher, so on the same $120K salary you'd have $134 less per month. You'd need to earn $132,371 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 × (107 ÷ 97) = $132,371. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Charleston to Eugene
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only