$80K in Chattanooga = $77,209 in Columbus
Your $80K salary in Chattanooga (COL 86) has the same purchasing power as $77,209 in Columbus (COL 83). Columbus is cheaper — your money goes 3% further there.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Chattanooga $80K | Columbus $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $5,057 | $4,690 |
| 1BR rent | $1,250 | $1,100 |
| Groceries | $357 | $353 |
| Transport | $45 | $40 |
| Utilities | $165 | $160 |
| Internet | $58 | $58 |
| Left after essentials | $3,182/month | $2,979/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Chattanooga equivalent to in Columbus?
$80K in Chattanooga (COL index 86) has the same purchasing power as $77,209 in Columbus (COL index 83). That's 3% less than your current salary.
If I move from Chattanooga to Columbus keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Columbus, you'd have $-203 more per month after core expenses — because Columbus is cheaper than Chattanooga.
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: $80K × (83 ÷ 86) = $77,209. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Chattanooga to Columbus
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only