$80K in Chattanooga = $75,349 in Montgomery
Your $80K salary in Chattanooga (COL 86) has the same purchasing power as $75,349 in Montgomery (COL 81). Montgomery is cheaper — your money goes 6% further there.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Chattanooga $80K | Montgomery $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $5,057 | $4,723 |
| 1BR rent | $1,250 | $1,050 |
| Groceries | $357 | $353 |
| Transport | $45 | $38 |
| Utilities | $165 | $170 |
| Internet | $58 | $58 |
| Left after essentials | $3,182/month | $3,054/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Chattanooga equivalent to in Montgomery?
$80K in Chattanooga (COL index 86) has the same purchasing power as $75,349 in Montgomery (COL index 81). That's 6% less than your current salary.
If I move from Chattanooga to Montgomery keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Montgomery, you'd have $-128 more per month after core expenses — because Montgomery 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 × (81 ÷ 86) = $75,349. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Chattanooga to Montgomery
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only