$100K in Columbia = $95,402 in Dayton
Your $100K salary in Columbia (COL 87) has the same purchasing power as $95,402 in Dayton (COL 83). Dayton is cheaper — your money goes 5% further there.
Budget breakdown — $100K in both cities
What $100K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Columbia $100K | Dayton $100K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $5,804 | $6,029 |
| 1BR rent | $1,250 | $1,100 |
| Groceries | $361 | $361 |
| Transport | $45 | $60 |
| Utilities | $152 | $162 |
| Internet | $60 | $58 |
| Left after essentials | $3,936/month | $4,288/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $100K in Columbia equivalent to in Dayton?
$100K in Columbia (COL index 87) has the same purchasing power as $95,402 in Dayton (COL index 83). That's 5% less than your current salary.
If I move from Columbia to Dayton keeping my $100K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $100K after moving to Dayton, you'd have $352 more per month after core expenses — because Dayton 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: $100K × (83 ÷ 87) = $95,402. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Columbia to Dayton
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only