$120K in Charleston = $80,907 in Madrid
Your $120K salary in Charleston (COL 97) has the same purchasing power as $80,907 in Madrid (COL 65). Madrid is cheaper — your money goes 33% further there.
Budget breakdown — $120K in both cities
What $120K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Charleston $120K | Madrid $120K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,535 | $5,055 |
| 1BR rent | $1,900 | $1,200 |
| Groceries | $376 | $380 |
| Transport | $55 | $150 |
| Utilities | $162 | $95 |
| Internet | $63 | $35 |
| Left after essentials | $3,979/month | $3,195/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $120K in Charleston equivalent to in Madrid?
$120K in Charleston (COL index 97) has the same purchasing power as $80,907 in Madrid (COL index 65). That's 33% less than your current salary.
If I move from Charleston to Madrid keeping my $120K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $120K after moving to Madrid, you'd have $-784 more per month after core expenses — because Madrid 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: $120K × (65 ÷ 97) = $80,907. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Charleston to Madrid
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only