$80K in Charleston = $65,979 in Evansville
Your $80K salary in Charleston (COL 97) has the same purchasing power as $65,979 in Evansville (COL 80). Evansville is cheaper — your money goes 18% further there.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Charleston $80K | Evansville $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,643 | $4,843 |
| 1BR rent | $1,900 | $990 |
| Groceries | $376 | $353 |
| Transport | $55 | $40 |
| Utilities | $162 | $152 |
| Internet | $63 | $58 |
| Left after essentials | $2,087/month | $3,250/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Charleston equivalent to in Evansville?
$80K in Charleston (COL index 97) has the same purchasing power as $65,979 in Evansville (COL index 80). That's 18% less than your current salary.
If I move from Charleston to Evansville keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Evansville, you'd have $1,163 more per month after core expenses — because Evansville is cheaper than Charleston.
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: $80K × (80 ÷ 97) = $65,979. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Charleston to Evansville
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only