$80K in Columbia = $70,909 in McAllen
Your $80K salary in Columbia (COL 88) has the same purchasing power as $70,909 in McAllen (COL 78). McAllen is cheaper — your money goes 11% further there.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Columbia $80K | McAllen $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,743 | $5,057 |
| 1BR rent | $1,250 | $950 |
| Groceries | $365 | $338 |
| Transport | $45 | $35 |
| Utilities | $158 | $165 |
| Internet | $60 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $2,865/month | $3,509/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Columbia equivalent to in McAllen?
$80K in Columbia (COL index 88) has the same purchasing power as $70,909 in McAllen (COL index 78). That's 11% less than your current salary.
If I move from Columbia to McAllen keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to McAllen, you'd have $644 more per month after core expenses — because McAllen is cheaper than Columbia.
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 × (78 ÷ 88) = $70,909. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Columbia to McAllen
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only