$150K in Charleston = $61,856 in Lima
Your $150K salary in Charleston (COL 97) has the same purchasing power as $61,856 in Lima (COL 40). Lima is cheaper — your money goes 59% further there.
Budget breakdown — $150K in both cities
What $150K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Charleston $150K | Lima $150K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $8,169 | $8,944 |
| 1BR rent | $1,900 | $500 |
| Groceries | $376 | $380 |
| Transport | $55 | $150 |
| Utilities | $162 | $55 |
| Internet | $63 | $25 |
| Left after essentials | $5,613/month | $7,834/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $150K in Charleston equivalent to in Lima?
$150K in Charleston (COL index 97) has the same purchasing power as $61,856 in Lima (COL index 40). That's 59% less than your current salary.
If I move from Charleston to Lima keeping my $150K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $150K after moving to Lima, you'd have $2,221 more per month after core expenses — because Lima 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: $150K × (40 ÷ 97) = $61,856. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Charleston to Lima
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only