$120K in Charleston = $59,381 in Playa del Carmen
Your $120K salary in Charleston (COL 97) has the same purchasing power as $59,381 in Playa del Carmen (COL 48). Playa del Carmen is cheaper — your money goes 51% further there.
Budget breakdown — $120K in both cities
What $120K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Charleston $120K | Playa del Carmen $120K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,535 | $7,155 |
| 1BR rent | $1,900 | $800 |
| Groceries | $376 | $380 |
| Transport | $55 | $150 |
| Utilities | $162 | $55 |
| Internet | $63 | $35 |
| Left after essentials | $3,979/month | $5,735/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $120K in Charleston equivalent to in Playa del Carmen?
$120K in Charleston (COL index 97) has the same purchasing power as $59,381 in Playa del Carmen (COL index 48). That's 51% less than your current salary.
If I move from Charleston to Playa del Carmen keeping my $120K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $120K after moving to Playa del Carmen, you'd have $1,756 more per month after core expenses — because Playa del Carmen 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 × (48 ÷ 97) = $59,381. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Charleston to Playa del Carmen
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only