$150K in Charleston = $125,258 in Montgomery
Your $150K salary in Charleston (COL 97) has the same purchasing power as $125,258 in Montgomery (COL 81). Montgomery is cheaper — your money goes 16% further there.
Budget breakdown — $150K in both cities
What $150K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Charleston $150K | Montgomery $150K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $8,169 | $8,319 |
| 1BR rent | $1,900 | $1,050 |
| Groceries | $376 | $353 |
| Transport | $55 | $38 |
| Utilities | $162 | $170 |
| Internet | $63 | $58 |
| Left after essentials | $5,613/month | $6,650/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $150K in Charleston equivalent to in Montgomery?
$150K in Charleston (COL index 97) has the same purchasing power as $125,258 in Montgomery (COL index 81). That's 16% less than your current salary.
If I move from Charleston to Montgomery keeping my $150K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $150K after moving to Montgomery, you'd have $1,037 more per month after core expenses — because Montgomery 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 × (81 ÷ 97) = $125,258. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Charleston to Montgomery
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only