$80K in Columbia = $80,909 in Lexington
Your $80K salary in Columbia (COL 88) has the same purchasing power as $80,909 in Lexington (COL 89). Lexington is more expensive — you'd need 1% more to maintain the same lifestyle.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Columbia $80K | Lexington $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,743 | $4,790 |
| 1BR rent | $1,250 | $1,350 |
| Groceries | $365 | $365 |
| Transport | $45 | $60 |
| Utilities | $158 | $158 |
| Internet | $60 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $2,865/month | $2,797/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Columbia equivalent to in Lexington?
$80K in Columbia (COL index 88) has the same purchasing power as $80,909 in Lexington (COL index 89). That's 1% more than your current salary.
If I move from Columbia to Lexington keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Not necessarily. Core expenses in Lexington are higher, so on the same $80K salary you'd have $68 less per month. You'd need to earn $80,909 to maintain the same standard of living.
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 × (89 ÷ 88) = $80,909. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Columbia to Lexington
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only