$120K in Charleston = $110,103 in Milwaukee
Your $120K salary in Charleston (COL 97) has the same purchasing power as $110,103 in Milwaukee (COL 89). Milwaukee is cheaper — your money goes 8% further there.
Budget breakdown — $120K in both cities
What $120K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Charleston $120K | Milwaukee $120K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,535 | $6,385 |
| 1BR rent | $1,900 | $1,350 |
| Groceries | $376 | $372 |
| Transport | $55 | $72 |
| Utilities | $162 | $168 |
| Internet | $63 | $63 |
| Left after essentials | $3,979/month | $4,360/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $120K in Charleston equivalent to in Milwaukee?
$120K in Charleston (COL index 97) has the same purchasing power as $110,103 in Milwaukee (COL index 89). That's 8% less than your current salary.
If I move from Charleston to Milwaukee keeping my $120K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $120K after moving to Milwaukee, you'd have $381 more per month after core expenses — because Milwaukee 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 × (89 ÷ 97) = $110,103. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Charleston to Milwaukee
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only