$120K in Chicago = $108,785 in Charleston
Your $120K salary in Chicago (COL 107) has the same purchasing power as $108,785 in Charleston (COL 97). Charleston is cheaper — your money goes 9% further there.
Budget breakdown — $120K in both cities
What $120K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Chicago $120K | Charleston $120K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,665 | $6,535 |
| 1BR rent | $1,900 | $1,900 |
| Groceries | $388 | $376 |
| Transport | $105 | $55 |
| Utilities | $165 | $162 |
| Internet | $65 | $63 |
| Left after essentials | $4,042/month | $3,979/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $120K in Chicago equivalent to in Charleston?
$120K in Chicago (COL index 107) has the same purchasing power as $108,785 in Charleston (COL index 97). That's 9% less than your current salary.
If I move from Chicago to Charleston keeping my $120K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $120K after moving to Charleston, you'd have $-63 more per month after core expenses — because Charleston is cheaper than Chicago.
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 × (97 ÷ 107) = $108,785. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Chicago to Charleston
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only